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Prince Harry's Friend Wins Court Battle Over Yarmouth's The George

A nightclub boss and friend of Prince Harry has won a court battle over Yarmouth's The George Hotel.

Howard Spooner, 52, has won a case against former TV weather presenter Sally Johnson, according to the Daily Mail.

The pair, who went into business together in 2019, were locked in a battle over control of the 17th century building.

At London's High Court, Judge Sebastian Prentis ruled in Mr Spooner's favour. It was found an agreement had been reached for Mrs Johnson to sell her share.

The duo's proposed revamp of the hotel was partly bankrolled by Mrs Johnson's millionaire polo-playing husband, Charles 'Brook' Johnson, 75, and it was hoped they could bring in a well-heeled crowd to the George.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Spooner said:

"I am pleased that I am now able to put this whole episode behind me and focus on improving the service that The George provides to visitors.”

Representing him, Russell Strong, Partner at Greenwoods GRM, said "he has maintained from the beginning a version of events that the Court found to be truthful.”

But the Daily Mail claims Mr Spooner and Mrs Johnson fell out over spending, with "Mr Spooner accusing the couple of failing to supply the stream of wealthy clients he says they promised."

In July 2020, Mr Spooner agreed to buy Mrs Johnson's 50 per cent stake in the hotel. But Mrs Johnson claimed that agreement had never been reached and sued him, the court heard.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the judge backed Mr Spooner's account, holding that Mrs Johnson had agreed to sell her share to Mr Spooner on July 2 as the financial impact of Covid 19 began to bite.

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