Rooney sex libel case dismissed
A grandmother suing the Sun over claims she had sex with footballer
Wayne Rooney while working as a prostitute had her £750,000 damages
claim thrown out of court today.
Mother-of-seven Patricia Tierney, 52, denied the claim published in
the paper in August 2004 that she was a sex worker at a Liverpool
brothel used by the England and Manchester United star.
But today at Manchester County Court, it was revealed that Mrs
Tierney, from Whiston, Merseyside, had admitted working as a
prostitute in a statement to police two years earlier.
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She claimed libel damages after saying her photo and the Sun
article, headlined "Don't fancy yours much Wayne" was "horrible
lies" that had destroyed her reputation and her life.
Mrs Tierney, a grandmother of 16, launched the legal battle
claiming she had only ever worked as a receptionist at Divas
massage parlour in Liverpool - and had never worked as a
prostitute.
Rooney, 21, had been put on notice by the court that he might be
called as a witness.
But today Anthony Hudson, the Sun's barrister, showed the court a
police witness statement from May 2002.
In it, Mrs Tierney told officers she had sold herself for sex
because she needed the money - but kept her job a secret from her
family.
She told officers she had a "dual role" at the parlour, as a
receptionist with housekeeping duties.
But she added in the statement: "On other days I would act as a sex
worker. My role would be to provide sex services to clients."
Mr Hudson said Mrs Tierney's claim amounted to £750,000 -
comprising £250,000 damages for her plus £500,000 legal fees.
He added: "Mrs Tierney has deliberately and knowingly engaged in
fraudulent conduct, has deceived, and clearly been involved in an
attempt to pervert the course of justice."
Her solicitors withdrew from the case on Friday, after the
statement came to light, advising her she could not now win her
case.
Mr Justice Christopher Clarke today dismissed an application by Mrs
Tierney, who represented herself in court, to adjourn the hearing
while she sought alternative legal representation.
Instead the judge dismissed the case.
