A western suburbs property deal has soured to the point of defamation proceedings being launched against a prominent Dalkeith real estate agent.
Documents filed with the Supreme Court of WA allege Olivia Porteous “falsely and maliciously defamed” Jennifer Jane Pickworth in an email which also went to two of Porteous’ colleagues at the agency owned by her father, William Porteous.
The contents of the email, sent on April 7 this year, were not detailed in the writ filed on Pickworth’s behalf by high-profile defamation lawyer Martin Bennett.
However, it related to the sale of a unit on Glyde Street in the sought-after suburb of Mosman Park, and copied in Peter Robertson and Harry Stevenson, who also work as agents for William Porteous Properties International.
The writ claims the email falsely and maliciously defamed Pickworth, who is seeking damages in addition to any interest incurred on the damages since the email was sent.
She is also seeking an injunction restraining Olivia Porteous from republishing the email “or any words similar thereto”.
William Porteous is well known in WA’s high society after his marriage to Rose Porteous, who was previously the wife of mining magnate Lang Hancock.
Olivia Porteous has been approached for comment.
