By Sarah Limbrick
Sound engineer Mark Stickland is suing for libel damages over an interview with the rock band Bullet For My Valentine, which appeared in music magazine Kerrang!.
Stickland is claiming damages from publisher Emap Metro over the interview, which was headlined "‘Horse Sex, Hardcore Porn. Stealth Wanking' — Prepare to be disgusted by Bullet For My Valentine's sickest interview ever…"
The story suggested that the sound engineer was guilty of lewd behaviour of an exhibitionist, sexual nature, according to a High Court writ.
Stickland says that the publication gravely injured his personal and professional reputation, and exposed him to public scandal, odium and contempt, and caused him extreme hurt, embarrassment and distress.
He is also seeking aggravated damages and says that Kerrang! set out to write an offensive and vulgar article, which was highly damaging to him, but failed to put the allegation to him before publication.
It should have been obvious that what the band allegedly said should have been treated with the utmost caution, he said.
Since the interview appeared, he has been mocked and called "Stinky", the writ said.
Stickland says that despite requests for an apology, correction, and compensation, Emap Metro has failed to make any constructive response to his claim, and has not complied with legal preaction protocols.
He is seeking damages and aggravated damages for libel, and an injunction banning repetition of the allegations about him.
An Emap spokesperson said the company was defending the action on the grounds that it believed the allegations to be true.
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