The fallout from the Just Group’s insolvency led to one of the messiest insolvency disputes in recent years
Alex Hawkes, Accountancy Age, 31 May 2007
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A businessman, who tried to have Coopers & Lybrand wound up in the 1990s, launched a stream of abuse against another party in one of the messiest insolvency disputes of recent years, a court has heard.

Mark Hardy called Christopher Jones, another party involved in the fallout from collapsed Just Group, a 'slimeball' and a 'frigging liar' on bulletin boards covering the subject.

Hardy told Jones at one point: ‘I intend to nail your nuts to the mast,’ the City of London magistrates court heard.

Just Group owned the rights to cartoon characters the Butt Ugly Martians, and the fallout from the group’s insolvency has led to unpleasant spats.

Hardy holds a power of attorney over Think Entertainment, a company formed in 2004 as part of a restructuring of Just Group, while Jones was involved in a rescue plan that attempted to revive the company in 2002.

Hardy was alleging in court that Jones had been paid unlawfully in his time at the group, and wanted magistrates to issue a summons. Jones categorically denies the allegations. The court eventually refused the request, saying it would be vexatious, malicious and constitute harassment.

Stephen John, acting for Jones, told the court that Hardy’s attempt to obtain the summons was part of a sustained campaign of harassment that, in one instance, had led to Jones contacting the police.

Hardy called Jones a 'lying scumbag' on bulletin boards, John said. ‘What language is [this] for someone holding a power of attorney?’ John said.

Hardy said: ‘The language gets colourful, that’s the nature of these bulletin boards.’

Hardy has already made accusations in court against KPMG administrators involved with Just Group.


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