A New Zealand physical therapist labelled a "gold-digger" is at the centre of a multi-million dollar British court fight with his former partner.
Kiwi Hamish Hurley is being sued by his former partner, Mandy Gray, over NZ$38.6m worth of assets allegedly purchased with Gray's money but registered in whole or partially in Hurley's name, reports The Times.
Their six year relationship broke down in January, and Gray is demanding Hurley return the assets to her. The assets include an Italian property, shares in a Kiwi company and supercars.
Gray's lawyer, Jonathan Cohen QC, told the London High Court on Tuesday (local time) that Hurley had subjected his then-partner to mental and emotional abuse.
His "domineering" attitude and behaviour led the valuable assets to be registered "in whole or in part in Hurley's name or held by companies which he controls," Cohen claimed.
"[Gray] was no more than Hurley's vehicle for his enrichment and Hurley was the archetypal gold-digger par excellence."
Cohen said Hurley had drafted "lists of prestige assets" before his relationship with Gray began, as well as a "To Get" list from 2014 featuring supercars, a yacht and properties.
Hurley wants to claim, what he believes were jointly owned assets, and for the proceedings to happen in New Zealand.
He also denies claims about being domineering, with his lawyer, James Bailey QC, saying Gray's account was like rewriting history. He says they had a loving relationship.
Bailey said the English courts didn't have jurisdiction as he wasn't domiciled there when legal proceedings were issued - Gray says he was.
Gray is divorcee and received a NZ$173m settlement when she divorced in 2013.
The Judge is currently considering where the case should be heard.
Newshub.
