14 hours ago
Kitchen fitter sues customer for libel after being branded 'worst I have ever seen' and an 'absolute joke' in online review
A kitchen fitter is suing a customer for libel after they posted a scathing online review branding him the 'worst I have ever seen'.
Joiner Benjamin Johnson has resorted to the High Court after Stephen Helm said he was an 'absolute joke' and told others to 'avoid' him.
On a website for tradesman reviews, Mr Helm claimed Mr Johnson 'damaged everything' and said he was 'the worst fitter I have ever seen'.
Mr Johnson, based in Preston, claims customers cancelled scheduled jobs after seeing the post – costing him £19,000.
In early 2022 Mr Johnson's firm, Johnson's Joinery, was hired by Mr Helm to work on his kitchen.
That April, the pair argued about the 'standard' of Mr Johnson's fitting, which resulted in him stopping, a preliminary hearing was told.
Mr Helm and Mr Johnson then agreed a settlement. The homeowner uploaded a review of Johnson's Joinery the following month to a website allowing users to discuss nearby businesses.
The post, left online for 17 months, read: 'The worse [sic] fitter I have ever seen, ruined everything he touched, didn't do a full day. Damaged everything and can't draw a straight line... Lazy, dirty and dangerous health concerns regarding his work... Ben Johnson [and father the plumber] are to be avoided at all costs.
'He refunded our deposit and admitted liability by doing that however wouldn't pay the extras to rectify and remove everything he did and doesn't care about the impact to our home.
'Avoid, avoid, avoid... Absolute joke, embarrassing and when questioned for consumer rights claim said his feelings were hurt as we were questioning his character. Should not be in business so avoid.'
Mr Helm is arguing he was sharing the 'truth and honest opinion'. He is also seeking damages for breach of contract.
Richard Spearman KC, who dealt with the preliminary hearing, said: 'Looking at the review in the round, it seems to me that it plainly contains some statements of opinion and some statements of fact.'
Mr Johnson said: 'I'm sick and tired of customers who think they can do what they want and think they can get away with it.
'I've lost two jobs that came up to about £19,000 because of this.
'I asked him [Mr Helm] to take it down and he said no, I had no choice but to take him to court to take it down.'
The case continues.
