Former BCC workers must pay $41,500 for defamation

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

The acting deputy warden of the Baffin Correctional Centre has won a defamation lawsuit against two former prison guards who published a newsletter mocking his ability to do his job.

According to court testimony, Justin and Crystal Partridge, a married couple, published the newsletter, called the BCC Gazette, in 2002.

In the newsletter, the Partridges told jokes about their acting deputy warden, Steven Hay.

Justice Earl Johnstone released a written judgment this week, stating that “there was some malice” in the newsletter. He agreed that message board discussions about the publication on the Internet were an aggravating factor.

Johnstone ordered that the couple pay $35,000 in general and aggravated damages, plus $6,500 in court costs.

The Partridges, who have moved to Alberta, did not show up in court for any scheduled appearances.

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