Jackson Wins £100,000 in Twitter Defamation Case Against Collins

In a significant ruling, a court has awarded Peter Jackson £100,000 in a defamation case against Danielle Collins. The case stems from false accusations made on social media that began in April 2018, shortly after a controversial trial involving Jackson’s son.

Case Overview

Jackson filed his complaint following slanderous posts on Collins’ Twitter account, @DanielleTVGold. These posts, which emerged between April 13 and April 16, 2018, implicated Jackson in witness tampering and bribery related to a rape case.

Timeline of Events

• March 2019: Jackson initiates court proceedings.
• June 2018: A detailed letter of claim was sent to Collins, but no response was received.
• March 2019: Collins was served with the court writ in Dublin.
• February 2020: A default judgment was issued in favor of Jackson.
• January 2021: Collins briefly engages solicitors to contest the judgment but later becomes unresponsive.
• May 2023 – December 2024: Collins fails to attend multiple court reviews, and her application to set aside the default judgment is dismissed.

Details of Defamation

Collins made over 19 defamatory posts where she alleged that Jackson attempted to pay off witnesses and the victim in the rape case. Her claims suggested that these actions were “widely known.” Expert testimony estimated that the visibility of these tweets could have reached between 1,000 and 3,500 views, further illustrating the impact of the false claims.

Assessment of Damages

Master Harvey evaluated the damages based on the principles from past defamation cases, emphasizing three key aspects: emotional distress, reputational repair, and public vindication. The court recognized the severe nature of the allegations, which involved accusations of a serious crime.

Impact on the Plaintiff

Jackson and his wife provided evidence showing the profound personal effects of the defamatory statements. Jackson faced health issues, including a stroke, as well as emotional struggles like sleep disturbances and social isolation. The court found that Collins’ failure to retract her statements or show remorse compounded the distress.

Conclusion

The court’s decision to award Jackson £100,000 is significant and reflects the seriousness of defamation claims, especially on social media platforms. The ruling serves as a reminder of the repercussions of false accusations and the importance of accountability in online discourse.