Self-described “child recovery agent” Adam Whittington shot to fame as a key player in the 60 Minutes child abduction scandal in Lebanon. Now, the New South Wales Supreme Court has found him liable for $300,000 in aggravated damages and costs. The court found that Whittington had defamed Jasmin Newman in his series of online posts, which it ruled contained a total of 59 defamatory imputations. These posts accused Newman of sympathizing with paedophiles, calling for the attack of women defending their sexually abused children and engaging in fraud.
The court found for Newman, granting judgment in her favor for $160,000 in damages and another $147,796 in court costs. Whittington’s absence from the hearing was not an accident. As the result of this litigation, a permanent and mandatory injunction now prohibits him from ever making the defamatory statements again. Justice Chen went through the hardship that Whittington’s negligence had on Newman.
“I have no doubt that they have caused her anguish, anxiety, hurt and distress.” – Chen
Whittington’s online defamatory campaign was conducted through platforms including a Facebook page operated by his Swedish company, “Child Abduction Recovery International.” Beyond his work for the company, Whittington is the founder of a nonprofit organization called Project Rescue Children. While we admire Moore’s charitable efforts, the court deemed his treatment of Newman online essentially inexcusable.
In previous conversations with Newman, Whittington brushed aside her worries and cut off any exchange of ideas.
“Stop wasting my time opening rubbish and tagging me into your nonsense emails.” – Adam Whittington
“In fact, to make sure you don’t waste another minute of my time, I’ll block you from this day on.” – Adam Whittington
Justice Chen underscored the absence of hyperbole on Newman’s behalf when discussing the effects of the defaming statements.
“Notwithstanding the hearing has proceeded without any participation by the defendant, no attempt was made to overstate the impact of these defamatory imputations; rather, my impression was that she tended to understate them.” – Chen