'Chris Gayle didn't misbehave with masseuse': Cricketer wins defamation case
The Sydney SC has ruled in favor of Chris Gayle in a defamation case against Fairfax Media, which in 2016 published articles claiming he had indecently exposed himself to a masseuse. Fairfax had admitted they were defamatory but invoked "truth and qualified privilege". However, a jury found them untrue. After the hearing, Gayle responded, "I'm a good man," and thanked his legal team.
Cricketer Gayle sues Australian newspapers for $1 million over defamation
West-Indian star cricketer Chris Gayle has sued Fairfax Media for $1 million over defamation. Its newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times carried stories in January 2016 accusing Gayle of exposing himself to a masseuse and indecently propositioning her during the 2015 World Cup. The New South Wales Supreme Court hearing, which began on Monday, will run for 10 days.
I saw the top half of Chris's penis, says masseuse
The incident reportedly happened in Drummoyne on February 12, 2015. According to massage therapist Leanne Russell, she went to the dressing-room looking for a towel and came across the 38-year-old flamboyant cricketer, who asked her what she was looking for. "I said, a towel and he pulled his towel out and down. I saw the top half of Chris's penis," she told the court.
I am sick of being treated this way: Leanne Russell
Russell, who was working with the West Indian team during the 2015 World Cup, claims she immediately walked out after the incident. Russell also informed the West Indies team's physiotherapist about Gayle's misconduct. She was so disturbed that she allegedly cried uncontrollably "like a child". "Sick of being treated this way," Russell said this happens all the time. "Nobody speaks out but they should."
Gayle says the news reports have brought him public disrepute
However, Gayle denies the accusation. So does his teammate Dwayne Smith who was allegedly present in the dressing room when it all happened. According to Gayle, the Australian media reports, which were subsequently picked by other media outlets across the world, attempted to destroy him, and have damaged his "personal reputation and commercial brand," bringing him "public disrepute, ridicule and contempt."
Gayle has previously asked out a TV presenter live on-air
This isn't the first time that Gayle has landed in a controversy for misbehaving with women. Last year, he asked out TV presenter Mel McLaughlin live on-air while talking about his match for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. When Mel did not reply, Gayle had said "don't blush baby," and laughed out loud.
The last hearing lasted two hours
A four-person jury consisting one man and three women answered three questions during the six-day hearing: one, whether Gayle had "intentionally exposed" his genitals to Leanne Russell, the then team masseuse, during training sessions for the 2015 World Cup. Second: whether he had also propositioned her that day. And third: whether he had "exposed himself" to Russell. They answered "No" to all three.
