A High Court judge in Northern Ireland has set aside a £300,000 damages award granted to an Antrim couple against the founder of the gossip website Tattle Life.

Justice Humphreys ruled that Neil Sands and Donna Sands failed to properly serve a writ on Sebastian Bond, the site's founder. The couple had each received £150,000 plus legal costs in December 2023 over postings on the site.

The judge also lifted a worldwide freezing order on £1.8 million in assets linked to Bond and companies in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. He declared that Bond had no knowledge of the proceedings.

Neil Sands, 44, works as a technology entrepreneur. Donna Sands, 35, runs a fashion business. They claimed harassment, invasion of privacy, defamation, and breach of data rights after a two-year legal effort to identify the site's operator.

Bond was named publicly as a founder in June 2024 after reporting restrictions ended. A prior judge noted the site allowed anonymous comments that damaged reputations.

Bond's lawyers argued abuse of process due to incomplete disclosures and service flaws. The couple's solicitor admitted evidence gaps and offered an apology for honest errors.

Justice Humphreys found no improper motive but ruled the service did not comply with court orders for substituted service. He stated the irregularities led to serious consequences, including the judgment and freezing order.