Cartier watch attempted 'bribe' amid tower dispute

A dispute over a landmark seaside tower led to a "likely" bribe attempt involving a Cartier watch and secret recordings, according to court papers.

The High Court heard one of the parties in the case even blocked the entrance to a care home with his car to induce his rival to talk to him.

The case centred on the ownership and financial arrangements relating to the Atlantis Tower in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The man named in civil court as the individual who offered the Cartier watch, Sotiris Christophi, said: "The suggestion that this was a bribe or had any improper purpose is completely at odds with my understanding and intention."

The court heard how Mr Christophi, an accountant, and Dr Sanjay Kaushal, a care home owner, fell out after they jointly funded the purchase and redevelopment of the tower in November 2021.

They did this through a company called RP Design and Construction Limited (RPD).

Mr Christophi brought the case, arguing he and Dr Kaushal had agreed to split the ownership of the company equally in an oral agreement.

Dr Kaushal denied this and said Mr Christophi's financial contribution had been a loan not an investment.

Deputy High Court Judge Saira Salimi rejected Mr Christophi's claim.

The Atlantis Tower has stood as a landmark on the Great Yarmouth seafront since its construction in the 1960s.

The intention was to convert the upper floors into 18 residential flats and then sell them.

This section of the property previously been used as a hotel.

By early 2023 Dr Kausal and his former friend, Mr Christophi, were in serious disagreement over the project.

Mr Christophi had began to behave "aggressively and unreasonably", Dr Kausal said, and that he felt intimidated.

There had been heated meetings and phone calls recorded secretly by Mr Christophi, he told the court.

It was alleged that at one point this included Mr Christophi posting negative reviews of a care home owned by Dr Kausal and even blocking its entrance with a car.

This latter incident was a pressure tactic to make Dr Kaushal talk to him, the court heard.

Dr Kausal also alleged he had even been physically prevented from leaving a room during a meeting between the pair.

Mr Christophi told the BBC: "I absolutely reject any suggestion that I intended to intimidate or act unreasonably"

"I sought dialogue, nothing more, and when that dialogue was repeatedly refused, I did what I believed was necessary to be heard" he added.

In April 2023, Mr Christophi gave a Cartier watch to the owner of the company brought in to refurbish the property, Besnik Ademaj, and transferred £50,000 to Mr Ademaj's firm.

It was alleged by Dr Kausal this was to induce Mr Ademaj to transfer his shares in RPD.

Mr Christophi claimed the watch and money were a gesture of trust and friendship, meant to show goodwill during their discussions about transferring shares.

The watch and money were subsequently returned, according to the judgement.

Judge Salimi said it was "on the balance of probabilities" an attempt at a bribe "which did not result in success".

Mr Christophi, 53, also known as Steve, is linked to a Norwich company at the centre of tax fraud allegations.

The BBC revealed last year how Green Jellyfish had been raided by officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and a number of arrests made.

Internal company documents described Mr Christophi as a stakeholder in the firm, which is currently being wound up.

Companies House data shows an overlap between Mr Christophi's businesses and Green Jellyfish, including shared premises.

Mr Christophi said he had always conducted himself "lawfully and with integrity".

"I respect the rule of law, and I respect the judgment, even where I may feel that parts of my side of the story remain untold" he added.

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