Mileson gets 10 weeks to prove he’s too ill to fight United legal case

Excluisve by Phil Coleman

Last updated 12:43, Thursday, 21 August 2008

FORMER Gretna Football Club owner Brooks Mileson has been given 10 weeks to prove he is medically unfit to fight a legal action by Carlisle United.

Brooks Mileson: Legal battle with Carlisle United

The club is suing Mr Mileson at Carlisle County Court over £88,000 in sponsorship which it says he promised to pour into United’s coffers as part of a three-year deal.

But Mr Mileson yesterday failed to appear for the latest county court hearing in Carlisle or even to send anybody to represent him.

District Judge John Park heard representations from United’s solicitor Patricia Hall, who argued that Mr Mileson had shown himself capable to writing lucid letters to the court to request adjournments.

The court heard fresh evidence of Mr Mileson’s medical condition, which was cited as the reason for him pulling out of Gretna FC.

At the time, he was reported to be suffering from a severe brain infection.

Judge Park revealed that Mr Mileson has now written three letters to the court about his medical condition.

In the latest letter, on August 14, he asked that the case be adjourned because of his continuing poor health, saying: “I am unable to express myself and have problems with speech and understanding.”

After reading the letter, which revealed that Mr Mileson has an appointment with Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, Judge Park commented that he obviously needed help.

In a letter written three months ago about Mr Mileson’s health, a medical professor wrote that a deterioration in Mr Mileson’s health had prompted him to arrange a further scan.

He added: “Though the cause of the disability is presently uncertain, its effects are evident.

“He is slow, retarded, and appears to have difficulty understanding and in responding to questions.

“He would therefore be compromised in giving instructions or in understanding legal advice.”

The professor added that he was unable to estimate how long Mr Mileson’s condition might continue.

He hoped that further medical investigations might help. Later scans had showed no evidence of organic disease that would explain the symptoms, the court heard.

Judge Park ruled Mr Mileson should provide medical evidence that he is unfit to fight the case within 10 weeks.

If he fails to do so he may have to appoint a “litigation friend,” somebody recognised by the court to act on his behalf during hearings.