‘Three-way sexual encounter’ allegations at Houghton Hall leads to rave organiser taking former friend to court
A rave organiser has taken his former friend to court after he was accused of having a “three-way sexual encounter” at a music festival in West Norfolk.
Joe Mullen, who runs Interstellar Disco Orgy events, is suing former friend and business associate Oliver Lyles, over a total of three social media messages which he says falsely accused him of carrying out sexual assaults on a man and a woman.
The alleged assaults were said to have taken place at the 2022 Houghton Festival - taking place in the grounds of the historic hall.
Mr Mullen said these messages had a “devastating impact”, claiming they had been sent to important contacts including BBC Radio 1 DJ Emerald Lewis.
According to the Daily Mail, Mr Mullen is suing for £180,000 compensation for defamation. He said that the allegations were “false and malicious” and came about due to Mr Lyles being sacked from Mr Mullen’s company - which is promoted as “an inclusive community of invite-only underground parties at secret locations”.
Mr Mullen admits a 'three-way' sexual encounter took place with a man and a woman, but maintains it was consensual.
The tabloid newspaper added that the lawyers for Mr Lyles say his claims were true and insist there was a 'lack of any serious harm' caused by the social media messages at the centre of the court clash.
Mr Lyles is also involved in the rave and festival scene, having previously worked for the Secret Garden Party festival in Cambridgeshire. He currently works for the Wonderfruit festival in Thailand.
Jake Rudman, Mr Mullen's barrister, told London's High Court that Mr Lyles' allegations were motivated by malice, claiming that “his publications started the day after Mr Mullen dismissed him from his organisation”.
He added: “Mr Mullen's evidence is that his publication was false and also malicious.”
Judge Mr Justice Fordham will give his ruling on whether Mr Mullen can pursue his claim to trial at a later date.
Houghton Festival takes place each year in summer at the hall near Fakenham.
