Amy Winehouse’s father was sentenced to pay £950,000 (US$1.26 million, A$1.82 million) to the friends of his late daughter, whom he had unsuccessfully sued for selling the singer’s clothing and other belongings.
Earlier this year, Mitch Winehouse lost a case in London’s high court against two of her friends who sold dozens of her clothing items and other belongings at auction years after she passed away.
The late singer-songwriter, who was only 27 years old, passed away from alcohol poisoning in July 2011. She was well-known for her unique husky voice and had rapid popularity throughout the world at a young age.
Naomi Parry, the late singer’s long-time stylist, and her companion Catriona Gourlay denied engaging in dishonest behaviour when they auctioned off the things they claimed were lent or given to them.
Her father contended that they were not authorised to sell the goods.
The late singer’s clothing, ballerina shoes, handbags, earrings, makeup, and a dress she wore on her last tour in 2011 were among the 155 pieces that were put up for sale between 2021 and 2023.
The London court was informed during the trial that Winehouse’s associates made over $1.4 million in sales by “taking advantage” of her father’s amnesia.
Winehouse’s father “knew all along” about the planned auction and only pursued them for money after it was over, according to the court, who concluded that the two women had not purposefully hidden any of the things from him.
Judge Sarah Clarke stated on Wednesday, “The claimant chose to bring an inherently weak claim, pursue it aggressively and relentlessly to the end, and make serious and unfounded allegations against the defendants which significantly damaged their reputations, career prospects, financial security, and health.”
After unsuccessfully suing the friends of his late daughter for selling the singer’s clothes and other possessions, Amy Winehouse’s father was forced to pay £950,000 (US$1.26 million, A$1.82 million) to them.
Mitch Winehouse lost a case in London’s high court earlier this year against two of her pals who, years after her death, sold hundreds of her clothes and other possessions at auction.
Following the failure of a High Court claim about the sale of the late singer’s belongings, Amy Winehouse’s father is required to pay somewhat less than £1 million to two of his daughter’s friends.
Additionally, Mitch Winehouse’s own legal expenses from the unsuccessful attempt against Naomi Parry and Catriona Gourlay totalled at least £950,000.
He accused the women of “deliberately concealing” their transaction and said they had made money by selling dozens of his daughter’s belongings at US auctions in 2021 and 2023.
However, earlier this year, Ms. Justice Clarke dismissed the claim, concluding that he “knew all along” about the planned sale and had only started pursuing them for money in a “aggressive and unpleasant way” subsequently.
In a judgment on Wednesday, she said: “The claimant chose to bring an inherently weak claim, pursue it aggressively and relentlessly to the end, and make serious and unfounded allegations against the defendants which significantly damaged their reputations, career prospects, financial security and health.”
According to the judge, Gourlay’s costs were £487,132 as of April, while Parry’s were expected to reach £715,361.
Within the next two weeks, she mandated that Winehouse give each woman an interim payment of £569,330 for Parry and £394,521 for Gourlay.
Additionally, he is required to reimburse the women’s legal expenses on an indemnity basis, which means that those recovering their costs typically receive a larger portion of their expenditures than is customary and is frequently granted when one party has acted in an especially irrational manner.
According to Clarke, Winehouse “deliberately turned this case into large-scale and expensive litigation, in circumstances calculated to exert commercial pressure on the defendants to settle on his terms” by pursuing his claim.
“His unreasonable conduct is especially serious because he knowingly and deliberately did this to two young women who had stood faithfully by Amy, as well as by him and his family, and who had demonstrated their honesty and integrity over many years,” she continued.