Ex-mayor wins court case against Wellington personality over 'unhinged' online posts

Controversial Wellington personality Graham Bloxham has lost a court case after calling former mayor Justin Lester a “molester”, among other insults online.

The campaign by Bloxham included calling Lester “the molester”, “slimy”, “creepy and rotten”, “a tedious liar”, and a “creepy thief”.

A judge has ordered Bloxham to make a public apology and has referred the matter to police prosecutors.

Lester, who was mayor between 2016 and 2019, appeared in the Wellington District Court on Wednesday before Judge Andrew Nicholls.

Bloxham, who built a following for running the Wellington Live Facebook page, did not attend the hearing, and did not file any submissions to the court.

When contacted by the Herald beforehand, he said he was in Christchurch on business and appeared to be unaware the proceedings were taking place on Wednesday.

Lester submitted more than a dozen examples of Bloxham’s online communications about him, which included social media posts and emails to Lester’s business acquaintances, repeatedly calling him “molester”.

Other communications included unsubstantiated claims by Bloxham of Lester’s alleged misconduct toward young female council staff, and claims he abused Bloxham and his family.

It is understood Bloxham’s grievance with Lester began after the former mayor launched a Facebook page called Wellington Alive, similar in name to Bloxham’s Wellington Live page.

Lester described the material as “defamatory statements, gossip, rumour, innuendo, and just outright lies.”

Graham Bloxham built a reputation for operating the popular Wellington Live Facebook page, but has faced criticism in recent years, including accusations of spreading misinformation.

“It’s been emotionally distressing, damaging professionally and reputationally, and causing significant harm,” he told the court.

Lester, who now works as a director at technology consultancy firm DOT loves data, said he has received calls from friends and business acquaintances outside of Wellington asking whether there was any truth to Bloxham’s claims.

“I still worry that Mr Bloxham will turn up to my house either when I’m there or not be there and harm my family, that’s a legitimate concern,” he said.

Lester alleged he was recently accosted by Bloxham at the city’s library during a Wuthering Heights event.

“I turned my back on him,” Lester said, “eventually he left, but otherwise I thought, okay we’re going to go to fight right here.

“His behaviour can only be described as unhinged and concerning.”

Judge Nicholls said Bloxham seriously and repeatedly breached the principles of the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

“These digital communications by Mr Bloxham include accusations of corruption, dishonesty, improper political motives, and theft,” his decision, released Wednesday afternoon, said.

Then-Mayor Justin Lester pictured in the Wellington Town Hall in 2019. Photo/ Mark Mitchell

“The digital communications also include derogatory personal insults, with references to pornography and sexual impropriety.”

The material submitted by Lester showed Bloxham had also made communications about him since the court made an interim order in September last year banning him from continued posting about Lester.

Judge Nicholls noted failure to comply with an order is a criminal offence, which could result in a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a $5000 fine.

He said the suggestion of a breach “was not considered or demonstrated to the criminal standard” with the information provided to him, but said the court would send his decision to the Wellington Police Prosecution Service to consider.

Lester said he intended to pursue police action.

Bloxham was ordered to take down every digital communication he has made or sent about Lester, issue a written apology to Lester and send it to all recipients of his Wellington Live distribution list, and not post or send any communication about Lester again.

Contacted for comment on Wednesday evening, Bloxham was not aware of the judge’s decision.

When told by the Herald of the outcome, Bloxham said it was a “difficult time” for him.

“You always respect the court’s decision, I respect the court’s decision,” he said.

Bloxham had a short-lived run at the Wellington mayoralty, but pulled out of the race before filing a nomination to stand.

It is not the first time the polarising figure has fallen foul of the law.

Last year he was taken to the Employment Relations Authority over a personal grievance claim by a former employee of his digital media company and was ordered to pay $28,000.

He was arrested last year for failing to stop for police, but the case was thrown out with police failing to prove the charge.

He was also arrested in January at a Venezuela protest.

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.