Bell Inn owner wins damages after Facebook defamation case

Christopher Horne of the Bell Inn in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, was labelled an “inveterate liar” with “poor management skills” on the pub’s Facebook page, which ex-manager Alistair Dempster renamed ‘Toad of Bellenders — how not to run a Cotswold pub’.

Dempster — who left the pub in February 2012 after the pair fell out with each other — along with a number of the page’s members posted a string of abusive comments about Horne, including allegations of sexual harassment and of consorting with pimps and prostitutes.

'Absolute unholy mess'​

“I couldn’t get a new manager for seven months because of the statements and the judge ruled it cost me about £100,000 in lost trade. The whole thing has been an absolute unholy mess,” Horne said.

A High Court judge ruled that although Dempster was not the only one to post comments, he was responsible for the web page, which included accusations “designed to do [Horne] damage”.

£9,000 damages and costs​

Horne was awarded £9,000 in libel damages and costs. The sum would have doubled if Dempster had not issued a full apology prior to the court case. 

Horne added: “It is a shame that one of the several offers to settle without the need for this legal action was not accepted.”

The pub is now trading with a new manager.