Pitman wins damages over cancer `slur`

Former trainer Jenny Pitman today accepted a five-figure libel payout over a 'reprehensible' suggestion that she had not suffered from cancer.

Her counsel, Jonathan Crystal, told a High Court judge in London that in a passage of a book, Valley of the Racehorse, 'reference was made to some fellow trainers being so jealous of the claimant`s success and media attention that they suggested that she had not really been suffering from cancer'.

He told Mr Justice Eady that Mrs Pitman, who trained two Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in June 1998.

'Her thyroid was removed as part of her extensive treatment and she will be on daily medication for the rest of her life.

'The diagnosis of cancer caused the claimant and her family considerable anxiety but the disclosure of her condition has provided comfort to fellow cancer sufferers and their families.'

Crystal said the 'reprehensible suggestion' that she had not suffered from cancercaused grave offence and upset.

'It represented an appalling slur on her integrity and dismayed fellow cancer sufferers who derived support from her courageous battle against the disease.'

The defendants, author Robin Oakley and publishers Headline Book Publishing Ltd, 'now accept their serious error in publishing this offending passage and recognise the very considerable injury that has been done to the claimant'.

As well as a public apology, the defendants had agreed to pay a 'substantial' sum in damages, her legal costs and to recall all unsold copies of the book and to delete the offending passage from any subsequent edition.

Lorna Skinner, counsel for the defendants, said: 'They fully recognise that the suggestion by some trainers who were jealous of the claimant`s success and media attention that she had not really been suffering from cancer was reprehensible and it should never have been repeated.'

She added: 'It was never the defendants` intention to suggest there was any truth in the trainers` comments.

'The defendants recognise the positive contribution that the claimant has made to horseracing and accept the fact that the courageous battle she has fought against cancer has provided comfort to fellow sufferers and their families.

'They welcome this opportunity to express their regret that the offending passage was ever published and to apologise publicly to the claimant and her family for the offence and upset that has been caused.'

Mrs Pitman, who was in tears after the brief hearing, said: 'I did this for my husband and my two sons. It wasn`t about money. It was about a repulsive statement that some people made. I was devastated to read it.'

Her husband David Stait said: 'It was grave to say the least and very offensive, not only to Jenny, but to the doctors and the surgeons who performed the operation and all the care she had from the Royal Marsden.'

Half the undisclosed damages sum will be donated to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where Mrs Pitman was treated.