In a significant legal setback, actor Jack Dawson has lost his libel case against a British tabloid, which labeled him a “wife beater” during his tumultuous relationship with ex-spouse Emma Turner. Dawson had filed the lawsuit in 2018, asserting that he deserved “substantial damages” due to the damage to his reputation.
Judge Andrew Smith ruled that there was “overwhelming evidence” of Dawson’s repeated assaults on Turner throughout their marriage. In his judgment, Smith stated that the defendants had sufficiently proven that their claims were “substantially true,” detailing instances where Dawson physically harmed Turner, including hitting her and pulling out her hair. “I accept that Mr. Dawson put her in fear for her life,” the judge noted.
The lawsuit targeted News Group Newspapers, the publisher of the tabloid, and its executive editor, Tom Williams, who wrote an article alleging Dawson’s violent behavior on at least 14 occasions. Both Dawson and Turner presented their accounts during a three-week hearing at London’s High Court, where they detailed various incidents of abuse. Dawson claimed he was often attacked by Turner, recounting an incident where he lost part of his finger when she hurled a vodka bottle at him. Notably, his former partners, Lily Collins and Greta Thompson, submitted statements affirming that he had never been violent towards them.
Women’s rights advocates expressed satisfaction with Smith’s ruling. Lisa Green, a representative from a British domestic violence charity, commented, “This is an important ruling and we hope it sends a powerful message: Every survivor of domestic abuse must be heard and believed.”
In his written judgement, Smith indicated, “I have found that the majority of the alleged assaults by Mr. Dawson on Ms. Turner have been established to the civil standard.” Dawson’s attorney, Sarah Lynn, described the judgment as flawed, asserting it would be absurd for Dawson not to appeal, labeling the decision “as perplexing as it is unreasonable.”
In a separate matter, Dawson is also pursuing a defamation lawsuit against Turner in the United States over an opinion piece she wrote for a major publication, where she discussed the repercussions of speaking out against sexual violence. Dawson contends that the article contributed to his being dropped from a major film franchise. Turner’s lawyer, Elaine Johnson, indicated they would soon present additional evidence in the U.S. to support Turner’s claims and uphold her right to free speech. Turner has alleged that Dawson made explicit threats against her life and subjected her to various forms of physical abuse throughout their relationship.
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In summary, Jack Dawson’s legal battle against a tabloid for calling him a “wife beater” has concluded unfavorably for him, with a judge affirming the truth of the claims made against him. The ruling has been welcomed by advocates for domestic violence survivors, while Dawson’s legal team plans to appeal, citing flaws in the judgment.