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An adult film actress has been awarded $10,000 in damages after "insidious" behaviour by her neighbour, the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club.
Lisa Lewis said issues with the club began once its new manager was appointed in 2017. Photo / Supplied
Lisa Lewis successfully brought a civil case against the club - which describes itself as the "the friendliest club in town" - following what a judge called "nuisance" behaviour by its staff.
Lewis, a former Hamilton mayoral candidate with a colourful past, rents a property adjacent to the club on Claudelands Rd.
While the property is subdivided from the club's land, the house she rents is only accessible through the club's car park.
She claimed they tooted their horns late at night, aimed fireworks at her front gate and egged her property.
On one occasion Morgan himself said he had been tooting at a cat, however CCTV footage seen by the judge did not include a cat.
"I have no doubt at all that the pattern of club members tooting the horns of their cars when passing Ms Lewis' fence has evolved from encouragement by management to do so," the judge wrote. "This insidious behaviour was symptomatic of the way the club has dealt with Ms Lewis."
Lewis faced claims about her own behaviour. The club's office manager told the judge that she was stopped from leaving the club one day in October 2020 because Lewis was revving her vehicle in the carpark with a big dog. The manager said the incident had given her nightmares.
However, Judge David Cameron said that much of Lewis' behaviour stemmed from her being "wrongly trespassed" and from the "overt actions of the club".
He found in Lewis' favour, awarding her $10,000 in damages, alongside $39,404 in legal costs.
That sum must be paid by the club as penance for causing "considerable stress to Ms Lewis over many months".
Lewis also said her three dogs were often unsettled.
"Despite this disharmony, and the problems with the accessway, Ms Lewis has no desire to leave the property," Judge Cameron said.
"She has three dogs and rightly points out that it is extremely difficult to find a landlord who will agree to keeping dogs on a rental property."
Back in August 2020, Club president Susan McLean signed a trespass notice against Lewis. Just a few months later the club built fencing along the length of the accessway, which meant Lewis could not drive in and out of her property.
The court heard that Lewis tried to manhandle the portion that was in front of her driveway, but it had fallen on her. She said once that happened Morgan and other club employees were watching and laughing at her.
She called the police, and they ordered the club to remove the fence.
Lisa Lewis has a colourful past. Photo / Brett Phibbs
However, the trespass notice against her had not been issued correctly, the judge said.
"A meeting of the executive committee, properly minuted, was required, and it is clear that such process was not followed.
At the time, Lewis had filed with the Disputes Tribunal relating to alleged "wrongful use of the car park by others".
"I consider that the act of issuing the trespass notice was one of retaliation against Ms Lewis."
In the meantime, Lewis can still enter the club's carpark, only to access her property.
Lewis has a colourful public profile, stretching back to 2006 when she streaked in a bikini during an All Blacks test. She later became a high-profile escort, and now works as an entertainer on the OnlyFans platform.
On its website, the Cosmopolitan Club, which is almost 60 years old, encourages people to "come join the friendliest club in town".
"The Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club welcomes all members, their guests, visitors from affiliated clubs, and new members interested in joining this friendly, local club.
