Doctor in slander case denies VD claim

A CLAIM by the woman in the 'Fatal Attraction' slander case that her ex-husband received treatment for venereal disease was yesterday denied at the High Court.

Mrs Shirley Wraith is being sued by her former husband, David, for damages over what he claims was a 'ferocious campaign of spiteful vengeance' in which she told other people he had given her a 'dose'.

A consultant neurologist, Dr Malcolm Rawson, told the court that he had treated Mr Wraith for migraine but never for a sexually transmitted disease. He denied Mrs Wraith's claim her ex-husband went to him with VD.

Dr Rawson said Mr Wraith had told him about his marital problems in 1982, six years before his divorce. He recorded at the time: 'To some extent it's a classical story of a very young marriage when he was a joiner and he has now become a successful wealthy man and the marriage is not standing up to it.'

Mr Wraith, 48, of Brampton, Lincolnshire, was divorced from his wife in 1988 after 22 years of marriage.

He accuses her of telephoning his friends, a girlfriend and colleagues, telling them he had given her VD and that he was guilty of 'insider' share dealing and theft.

In her defence, Mrs Wraith, 49, of Hawes, North Yorkshire, claims she was faithful to her husband throughout their marriage and says her VD allegations were true. She denies accusing him of dishonesty.

Professor Albert Singer, a world authority on cervical infections, said Mrs Wraith had contracted the 'wart virus' - a disease transferred by sexual intercourse. Questioned by the judge, he said the condition would not be regarded by a layman as VD.

The hearing continues today with Mrs Wraith expected to give evidence.