Craig Hill11th July 2008 Public Apology to Brian di Francesco
July 11th 2008 12:49
Today in court I was served with an application for an apprehended violence order (avo) by Brian di Francesco, for allegedly emailing his staff, members of the Gordon Highlanders Football Club and (unnamed) associated groups, as well as Mr di Francesco.
The emails I recall sending were copies of summonses for two civil claims , totalling about $50,000 (being for computers and other belongings wrongfully taken, unpaid wages and future earnings), and for my complaint to the anti-discrimination council of NSW for alleged discrimination against me on the grounds of my medical disability (for which I receive disability pension), plus other legal papers that needed to be served. Copies of these complaints were sent to the Highlanders committee, as they also involve the Highlanders. I do not recall having sent any other emails to Mr di Francesco or any of his staff or football club.
Mr di Francesco felt that these complaints about his alleged behaviour were threats of physical violence. This was not my intent, I sent them as a courtesy so that he would be aware of the proceedings against him.
However, I accept Mr di Francesco's assertion of fear at these emails, and, accordingly, I apologise unreservedly to Mr di Francesco and any others who received these emails and found them threatening, and specifically for any alarm Mr di Francesco experienced. I make a solemn undertaking that I will not send any further notification of future actions that may arise, or any other unsolicited emails, and will serve any future papers directly with his solicitor. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
Mr di Francesco also stated in his application for AVO that he felt physically threatened by the Gordon Highlanders web page, which he feels publicly defames him. This apparently refers to the Bonny King Bonza articles, which Mr di Francesco mistakenly believes were all written by me and mistakenly believes refer to him.
This is not the case. Bonny King Bonza is a purely fictional character, and is an amalgamation of several friends in Australia and overseas, plus a little poetic licence in extending the character. They in no way refer to Mr di Francesco. The stories were written by myself and others, not solely by me.
However, I accept that Mr di Francesco may (mistakenly) think they refer to him, and may (mistakenly) think that I alone and unassisted wrote them, as he is not yet in possession of the full facts. To maintain good faith, I therefore again unreservedly apologise to Brian di Francesco for all fear and alarm these fictional stories caused him, and assure him I wish him no harm or distress. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
I also sought an avo against Mr di Francesco in court today. This was based largely on the fact that Mr di Francesco had broken into my room in his hotel, and stolen my computers and other equipment. Some of this was later recovered by police, and I laid no charges, preferring to get on with my life, and proceed with recovering the unrecovered property through the courts. The court today found this was not sufficient to grant an AVO, and I accept the court's decision.
I apologise unreservedly to Mr di Francesco for any distress today's court action has caused him. I also apologise unreservedly to Barry Brown and Tanya Croker, who attended court today as witnesses for Mr di Francesco, for any distress or inconvenience it caused them. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
I reiterate, my creation of Bonny King Bonza is not based, even in part, on Brian di Francesco.
However, in the interests of maintaining good harmony, I will cease writing these stories for the time being, until the court decides whether I can continue writing them freely or not.
I apologise to the readers who have told me how much they enjoyed the stories, but I feel that Mr di Francesco's welfare and wishes must come first and must be respected.
The emails I recall sending were copies of summonses for two civil claims , totalling about $50,000 (being for computers and other belongings wrongfully taken, unpaid wages and future earnings), and for my complaint to the anti-discrimination council of NSW for alleged discrimination against me on the grounds of my medical disability (for which I receive disability pension), plus other legal papers that needed to be served. Copies of these complaints were sent to the Highlanders committee, as they also involve the Highlanders. I do not recall having sent any other emails to Mr di Francesco or any of his staff or football club.
Mr di Francesco felt that these complaints about his alleged behaviour were threats of physical violence. This was not my intent, I sent them as a courtesy so that he would be aware of the proceedings against him.
However, I accept Mr di Francesco's assertion of fear at these emails, and, accordingly, I apologise unreservedly to Mr di Francesco and any others who received these emails and found them threatening, and specifically for any alarm Mr di Francesco experienced. I make a solemn undertaking that I will not send any further notification of future actions that may arise, or any other unsolicited emails, and will serve any future papers directly with his solicitor. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
Mr di Francesco also stated in his application for AVO that he felt physically threatened by the Gordon Highlanders web page, which he feels publicly defames him. This apparently refers to the Bonny King Bonza articles, which Mr di Francesco mistakenly believes were all written by me and mistakenly believes refer to him.
This is not the case. Bonny King Bonza is a purely fictional character, and is an amalgamation of several friends in Australia and overseas, plus a little poetic licence in extending the character. They in no way refer to Mr di Francesco. The stories were written by myself and others, not solely by me.
However, I accept that Mr di Francesco may (mistakenly) think they refer to him, and may (mistakenly) think that I alone and unassisted wrote them, as he is not yet in possession of the full facts. To maintain good faith, I therefore again unreservedly apologise to Brian di Francesco for all fear and alarm these fictional stories caused him, and assure him I wish him no harm or distress. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
I also sought an avo against Mr di Francesco in court today. This was based largely on the fact that Mr di Francesco had broken into my room in his hotel, and stolen my computers and other equipment. Some of this was later recovered by police, and I laid no charges, preferring to get on with my life, and proceed with recovering the unrecovered property through the courts. The court today found this was not sufficient to grant an AVO, and I accept the court's decision.
I apologise unreservedly to Mr di Francesco for any distress today's court action has caused him. I also apologise unreservedly to Barry Brown and Tanya Croker, who attended court today as witnesses for Mr di Francesco, for any distress or inconvenience it caused them. This in no way is an admission of any deliberate wrongdoing on my part.
I reiterate, my creation of Bonny King Bonza is not based, even in part, on Brian di Francesco.
However, in the interests of maintaining good harmony, I will cease writing these stories for the time being, until the court decides whether I can continue writing them freely or not.
I apologise to the readers who have told me how much they enjoyed the stories, but I feel that Mr di Francesco's welfare and wishes must come first and must be respected.
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Comment by Anonymous
What sought of real life person would be so idiotic as to carry on in such a ridiculous manner on such a wide range of issues over and over and over again?
I mean if Bonny King Bonza were based on a real character That person would have to be an out and out loser and you could do nothing other than feel sorry for someone like that.
Thanks for clearing it up and I look forward to hearing further stories from the kingdom of Bonny King Bonza When this silly Brian character pulls his head in.