A Big Brother contestant has accepted undisclosed libel damages today over a claim that she carried out a dishonest sex scam at lap dancing clubs.
Charley Uchea, who appeared in the eighth series, brought proceedings in London’s High Court over a June 2007 story in the Daily Star headed: “Big Bruv Charley’s Vice Secret”.
The story at the centre of her legal claim appeared on the front and two inside pages of the Daily Star on 19 June last year, as well as on the paper’s website.
Her solicitor-advocate Mark Thomson told Mr Justice Eady that it alleged she carried out the scam at various clubs, including Stringfellows where she worked.
He said the allegation was that she had falsely pretended to be willing to accept money for sex and had then left her ‘clients’waiting, having stolen their money.
It also claimed that she used to steal designer clothes from West End stores.
Thomson said Express Newspapers intially declined to apologise and withdraw the allegations, but it now accepted that they were completely untrue and had agreed to pay Uchea damages and her legal costs.
The newspaper’s solicitor, John Lisners, said that it apologised unreservedly and was pleased to set the record straight.
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