A High Court judge in Belfast set aside a £300,000 libel damages award granted to a Co Antrim couple against the operator of a gossip website. The ruling came on Tuesday.

Neil and Donna Sands, entrepreneurs from Co Antrim, had received £150,000 each in damages plus legal costs in December 2023. The awards related to abusive comments on Tattle Life, a site hosting message boards about influencers and public figures.

Judge Michael Humphreys ruled that the couple failed to properly serve a writ on site founder Sebastian Bond. He declared the judgment against Bond and Hong Kong company Kumquat Tree Ltd invalid.

The judge noted no improper motive in prior court applications but found irregularities in service not mere technicalities. These led to the damages judgment, injunctive relief, and a worldwide freezing order on £1.8 million in Bond's assets.

The freezing order was lifted following the ruling. The Sands described the judgment as lengthy and technical. They plan to review it and consider next steps.

The couple stated their legal action sought accountability for online abuse victims, not financial gain. They expressed gratitude for support from an online community.