A convicted drug smuggler tried to sue a businessman for £5million after blaming the tycoon for being dumped by his girlfriend.
Raj Pal Senna pursued electronic cigarette company owner Connor Henderson after his relationship with Mariangeles Nowacki broke down.
Henderson had previously employed the model and allowed her to stay at his home in Scotland when she left Senna’s London flat amid claims he threatened her.
Senna, 56, launched a legal action against Henderson and his Edinburgh-based company after failing to convince Mariangeles to come back to him.
He claimed Connor, 31, induced Mariangeles to leave him and breach music business and modelling contracts she had signed.
But his court case failed when he sent an email to his former partner calling himself Shrek, the ogre from the hit animated films, and referring to her as Donkey – pet names they had for each other.
In the message, he offered to pay her £1million if she gave evidence against Henderson in the case.
Last week a judge at the High Court in London threw out Senna’s claims and branded them “totally without merit”.
Henderson had denied the allegations against him and insisted he had no knowledge of contracts between Senna and Mariangeles.
He said he had offered the Argentinean model a place to stay at the home he shares with his wife and children when she couldn’t fly to South America at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last March.
In the email, Senna asked her to tell the court Henderson stopped her going back to London to be with him.
He added: “Shrek loves you. Shrek misses his Donkey.
“You have an open and shut opportunity to make a lot of money. All you have to do is get away from Connor and his people.
“This statement will allow Senna to get £2million to £5million in damages, possibly more.
“What will this mean for you and your family? £1million is guaranteed by Shrek.”
The court heard in 1998 Senna, then using the name Gurkirat Singh Dhanota, was convicted of importing Class A drugs and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Senna also failed in a civil action against Mariangeles, Connor’s brother Callum and the legal firm used by the siblings.
The Hendersons’ firm VPZ is the UK’s largest chain of e-cigarette stores and has sales of £28million a year.
Mariangeles had a four-month relationship with Senna after he paid her to do a nude modelling photoshoot at his London flat. She said the pair had discussed business opportunities but insisted no contracts were agreed. She later reported Senna to the police for harassment.
He was arrested and bailed but no further action was taken.
Mr Justice Julian Knowles said Senna was clearly the author of the “Shrek” email despite denying it.
He added: “At the heart of this case is the claimant’s failed relationship with the third defendant, which it is plain he has had trouble accepting. The allegations are wholly unsubstantiated.”
Senna was given a two-year civil restraint order banning him from raising any more court proceedings without permission.
Connor Henderson declined to comment. VPZ said: “We are pleased the judge has reached the conclusion that the action from Mr Senna was totally without merit.”
Senna and Mariangeles did not respond to the Sunday Mail’s request for comment.
