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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kenny Parker & Kieren Williams

Jilted mum 'tried to ruin lawyer's life after she started relationship with ex'

A jilted mum -of-three tried to ruin a leading lawyer's life after she began a relationship her ex-boyfriend, a court heard.

Kayleigh Gordon claimed she had “intimate videos” of Beth Mantel and businessman Richard Buggy, Gordon’s ex-partner who she shares a child with.

She also sent an email to Miss Mantel's employer alleging she was involved in substance misuse.

Her actions had caused "substantial distress" to both Miss Mantel a criminal defence lawyer who specialises in defending clients accused of drug dealing and Mr Buggy, 38, a solar panel expert who is dating the solicitor.

Beth Mantel (Beth Mantel/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
Richard Buggy with his ex-partner Gordon (Kayleigh Gordon/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

In a statement Miss Mantel of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, said she had "struggled" and had been "embarrassed" about the email which had been sent to her former employer as she had recently taken up a new post.

"Though the message had been sent to a generic email address the receptionist forwarded the message to the whole office," she said.

"Things were said which were disgusting, false and hurtful. The allegations could have ruined my reputation that had taken 10 years to build."

Gordon pleaded guilty to two charges of sending by a public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message and was ordered to pay Miss Mantel and Mr Buggy £100 each in damages.

Simon Green, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and one of the complainants, Mr Buggy, are ex-partners and they share a child. Mr Buggy is currently in a relationship with the other complainant.

"Mr Buggy took the child that he and the defendant share to a party in Manchester. That party was one being held by Ms Mantel's friend.

"After the party, he returns their son to the defendant. He then goes back to Manchester and on the way he receives a telephone call from the defendant.

Gordon pleaded guilty to two charges of sending by a public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message (Kayleigh Gordon/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

"She asks about the party and if Ms Mantel was there. She then begins to become abusive and sends a number of abusive and threatening messages regarding his relationship with Ms Mantel and what she intends to do with Ms Mantel and her employer.

"A threat was made to Mr Buggy that she was in possession of an intimate video involving Ms Mantel and Mr Buggy that she would post on Facebook.

"I should say that Ms Mantel is a solicitor. Were something like this to be posted it would undoubtedly have an effect on her career.

"With regards to Ms Mantel, the defendant sent an email to Ms Mantel's workplace.

"It was sent to a generic email box. I won't go through the content but to paraphrase, it alleged that Ms Mantle has been involved in substance abuse.

Miss Mantel said she felt "embarrassed" by the email Gordon sent to her workplace (Beth Mantel/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

"It refers to the nature of the intimate video and encourages the lawyers to take action against Ms Mantel.

"Ending the email, she leaves the number of an insolvency agency and the email as well for that company."

He added: "Threats were made and there was a threat to disclose a video of an intimate nature. It caused substantial distress to both parties but particularly to Ms Mantel. She was scared of not just losing her employment but ending her career over the allegations being made by the defendant in the email."

In mitigation for Gordon, her defence lawyer Mark Lever said she had immediately pled guilty and shown remorse and an element of contrition.

Mr Lever said: "It was done with little thought and no concern for the impact on the victim.

"Miss Gordon is aware that this is a serious matter and the court will deal with it in such a way. She is a mother of three children, the youngest is five years old, the others are 10 and 11.

"She realises her actions were over the top and she should have behaved very differently.

"The pre-sentence report seems to be positive and she shows some insight. She understands the impact her actions could have had on the lady's career and job. She is very sorry for the way she behaved."

Sentencing District Judge Jack McGarva told Gordon: "In the background of this case is a family dispute.

Gordon pictured her with ex Mr Buggy (Kayleigh Gordon/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

“To send the message to Ms Mantle's employer is unforgivable. You need to reflect how you would feel if the same thing happened to you.

"The pre-sentence report is a bit of a mixed bag if I am honest. You show some insight into some issues, but it is also apparent that you did try to justify your behaviour by making further allegations about Mr Buggy which does not reflect good on you."

Gordon was sentenced to a 12-month community order and a four-week 9pm to 6am curfew. She was also made subject a two-year restraining order preventing her from making any contact with Ms Mantel or Mr Buggy, except through Children's Services, a solicitor or someone approved by the family court for the purpose of arranging child contact.

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