'WAGatha Christie' libel trial ends in defeat for devastated Vardy

LONDON :Coleen Rooney, wife of former England soccer captain Wayne, emerged victorious in her high-profile libel match with the spouse of an ex-teammate after a High Court judge agreed that Rebekah Vardy had leaked stories about her to the press.

In a case that has gripped the public with its mix of glamour, soccer, and amateur sleuthing, the judge backed Rooney's public assertion that Vardy had spilled private details about her to the Sun tabloid, leaving Vardy "devastated".

The intrigue began almost three years ago when Rooney grew suspicious about stories in the Sun and turned detective to try to find the culprit.

She said she blocked everyone from viewing her Instagram account except one person and then posted a series of false stories to see whether they leaked out, which they did.

Rooney wrote on her social media accounts that only one person had viewed the false stories, concluding with the dramatic revelation: "It's ... Rebekah Vardy's account."

Vardy, 40, sued Rooney and the feud was dubbed the "WAGatha Christie" case after the "WAG" moniker given to a group of footballers' wives and girlfriends, and the renowned author of detective novels in honour of Rooney's sleuthing.

The judge, Justice Karen Steyn, said Rooney proved her allegation was "substantially true". She concluded that Vardy knew and condoned details being leaked to the Sun by her agent Caroline Watt.

"It was not a case I ever sought or wanted," Rooney said in a statement.

"I never believed it should have gone to court at such expense ... when the money could have been far better spent helping others," she added.

Any decision over who foots the legal fees will be settled at a future hearing. British media have speculated the trial cost millions of pounds.

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