Dew v Mills-Nanyn [2022] EWHC 1925 (QB) (21 July 2022)

Dew v Mills-Nanyn [2022] EWHC 1925 (QB) (21 July 2022)

A six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, is the least punishment consistent with the purposes of sanctioning the defendant for admitted contempt of court, given the seriousness, persistence, and impact of the breaches, balanced against mitigation including youth, good character, and eventual admission.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 1925
Parties
Claimant/applicant: Scarlett Ione Dew; Defendant/respondent: Oliver Mills-Nanyn
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 July 2022
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court (committal) / Sanctions/sentencing After Admission of Contempt
Outcome
Defendant found in contempt of court; sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for two years; ordered to pay damages and costs.
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Harassment, Misuse of Private Information, Breach of Undertakings
Civil Procedure Media and Communications Law Contempt of Court Harassment Misuse of Private Information Breach of Undertakings

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Parties

Scarlett Ione Dew

Claimant/applicant

Oliver Mills-Nanyn

Defendant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court (committal) / Sanctions/sentencing After Admission of Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant is in contempt of court for breaching undertakings given to the court
  2. 2 Appropriate sanction for contempt of court in the context of harassment and misuse of private information

Ratio Decidendi

A six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, is the least punishment consistent with the purposes of sanctioning the defendant for admitted contempt of court, given the seriousness, persistence, and impact of the breaches, balanced against mitigation including youth, good character, and eventual admission.

Court Disposition

Defendant found in contempt of court; sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for two years; ordered to pay damages and costs.

Orders

  • Oliver Mills-Nanyn committed to prison for six months, suspended until 19 July 2024, conditional on compliance with undertakings.
  • Oliver Mills-Nanyn to pay the claimant £30,000 in respect of damages and legal costs incurred prior to 4 March 2021, by 16 August 2022.