Canberra: A court in Australia has imposed a fine of USD 15,0000 on a man for uploading an offensive post on Facebook in which he accused a 74-year-old motel owner of hosting pedophiles.
The livelihood of former deputy principal Kenneth Rothe, who ran two seaside motels in New South Wales, Australia, took a turn for the worse after a local electrician posted the offensive post on Facebook.
"Pedophile warning: – Nambucca has been used as a relocation for these monsters – blue dolphin –nirvana hotel and above the Indian restaurant!...Bus stops are right out front of these hotels for our children?" David Scott wrote in 2014, referring to the names of Rothe's two motels.
After the post went viral, he started receiving random calls from people from all over asking for sex, while there were many who lashed out at him.
In addition, Rothe received brutal thrashing over the post that he had to spend at least six months in a hospital. His family was so terrified by the attack that they moved to another state.
A New South Wales District Court judge has now ordered Scott of paying USD 150,000 in damaged to the slandered motel owner.
“It would be fair to say that the publication of the matter complained of has destroyed the plaintiff's well-being as well as his peace of mind,” she added.
