A London plumber has gone on trial accused of harassment, after tweeting and
blogging about his wife’s alleged affair.
Ian Puddick set up a number of websites to shame his spouse, after discovering her
alleged seven-year relationship with her boss at a reinsurance advice firm.
The East Londoner has appeared before magistrates accused of forcing the director
to resign from his senior post as a result of the internet claims. UK lawyers believe
that this three-day hearing in Westminster could see the beginning of a redefinition
of the limits of free expression online.
Puddick, 41-year-old, has entered a not guilty plea against the charges and is also
expected to claim that police spent £1 million of taxpayers’ money investigating
allegations against him.
Michael Wolkind QC is leading the plumber’s legal tam, which will examine the
actions of the City of London Police. As part of their investigation, the police sent a
serious crime unit to raid Puddick’s home and office in search of evidence.
The prosecution are claiming that the Puddick’s actions forced the unnamed director
to leave his position at the reinsurance advice firm due to stress.
Legal and media experts are following the case intently, as it is likely to affect the
ongoing court battles to regulate the internet and freedom of speech.
A number of recent cases involving super-injunctions have also raised questions over
what is disseminated through websites and social networking sites such as Twitter.
Ahead of the hearing, Puddick revealed that he has now been reunited with his wife,
whom he married in 2007.
