A BUSINESSMAN is suing the company which owns Newport's five-star Celtic Manor Resort alleging he was wrongly branded a convicted paedophile by a member of staff.

Leslie Gwillym, believed to be 58, of Llantarnam, is claiming he was slandered in front of other people and is seeking damaged between £50,000 and £100,000.

Mr Gwillym was a member of the Forum Spa and Leisure Club at the Celtic Manor Resort and claims staff there also branded him a former convict who had served time at Usk Prison. Mr Gwillym's says he is not a paedophile and has never been to prison.

Mr Gwillym’s solicitors have served a High Court Writ for slander against the hotel company which says it has issued a defence against the claims.

Mr Gwillym, who is the finance director of a retail company, was a member of the club with his wife when he claims the incident happened on October 31 2007.

He claims that whilst being in the foyer outside the club’s Forum Cafe, one of the club’s employees asked him if he was a man with a different name.

He alleges that after replying no to this question several times, he was 'coralled' by staff in the corner of the cafe where the employee asked him if he was in Usk Prison four or five years ago. He says he replied no.

Mr Gwillym's claim alleges that the employee then said: “You have been identified by someone who recognises you as a former inmate of Usk Prison.”

Mr Gwillym claims the persistent questioning was aggressive and that the conversations were apparent to other people near the Forum Cafe.

Mr Gwillym also alleges that another member of staff behind referred to him as a convicted paedophile when Mr Gwillym’s wife asked what the allegation was.

The claim alleges that in a telephone call to a police officer at Maindee police station the following day, another staff member at Celtic Manor Resort said : “A member of the health club approached staff last night to say he’s recognised a person in the changing rooms as someone who had served a prison sentence at Usk for paedophile offences.”

The writ issued to the High Court claims Mr Gwillym was left deeply humiliated, frightened, distressed and gravely damaged in his reputation.

Mr Gwillym also claims he has not received the offer of a retraction or apology.

A spokesman for The Celtic Manor Resort told the Argus: “We issued a defence against the claims and it’s now in the hands of our solicitors so we are unable to comment further on the case.”