Model Matt Peacock yesterday accepted £15,000 in damages from the Sunday Mirror over an article that claimed he was violent towards his ex-wife, Jodie Marsh.
The piece, which appeared in its Celebs on Sunday magazine on 13 April last year, claimed the couple’s relationship ended soon afterwards as a result of his violence.
Solicitor Leo Dawkins, for Peacock, told Justice Eady at the High Court the accusations were “false and defamatory”.
The court was told the Sunday Mirror failed to contact Peacock before publishing the story to seek comment or check whether its story was accurate.
After Peacock complained days after publication the Sunday Mirror removed the story from its website.
Dawkins said his client sued for defamation as publication of “this false and serious allegation was extremely embarrassing for the claimant, and hurtful to his family.”
Mirror Group Newspapers, publisher of the Sunday Mirror, agreed to pay £15,000 in damages and pay legal costs. It has also agreed not to repeat the allegation.
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