In a bizarre turn of events that could rival any thriller, a distinguished academic at Oxford University has emerged victorious in a legal battle against a mechanic.
This all began when Dr. Penelope Horlick, a researcher specializing in the mid-Palaeolithic period, entrusted her beloved 1997 Porsche 911 Triptonic to the mechanic’s care after a mishap over a pothole in 2010.
Little did she know, it would take over a decade to reclaim her “pride and joy,” which the mechanic had ultimately dumped at her doorstep, stripped of vital components.
The Initial Incident
Dr. Horlick’s misadventure started in August 2010 when she crashed her Porsche while picking her daughter up from college.
Seeking repairs, she handed her vehicle to Jagjiwan Jhally, who operates JJ Engineering in Beckenham.
Initially, Mr. Jhally assured her that he could fix the car, presenting repair bills that totaled around £9,000.
However, as months turned into years, her car remained unreturned, prompting Dr. Horlick to eventually purchase an Audi in 2014 as a replacement.
During this time, she learned that, in good condition, her Porsche could be worth around £80,000 today.
The Long Wait and Legal Action
Despite numerous attempts to get updates on her vehicle, Dr. Horlick faced repeated delays and evasions from Mr. Jhally.
According to her barrister, Adam Smith-Roberts, Mr. Jhally continually claimed the repairs were nearly finished but refused to provide a concrete timeline.
As the situation dragged on, Dr. Horlick felt intimidated by Mr. Jhally’s increasingly aggressive demeanor, making her hesitant to push for answers.
Eventually, in March 2022, after filing a lawsuit, Dr. Horlick received a shocking delivery: the stripped shell of her Porsche was left on the street near her Kensington home.
This act only intensified her distress, especially as she had repeatedly requested the return of her car in its complete form, not a mere chassis void of the engine and gearbox.
Courtroom Drama Unfolds
After a three-day trial at the Central London County Court, the judge ruled in favor of Dr. Horlick, ordering Mr. Jhally to pay her £114,000 in compensation.
The judge noted that Dr. Horlick’s Porsche was clearly more than just a vehicle; it was an embodiment of her passion and status.
“Nobody buys a Porsche to have a car—they buy a Porsche to have a Porsche,” the judge remarked.
The court also found that Mr. Jhally had breached his contract by failing to complete the repairs in a reasonable timeframe, which should have been within a year.
Despite his claims of having spent money on parts and repairs, Mr. Jhally’s actions were deemed inadequate, with the judge stating he failed to provide the necessary care and skill in his work.
Although Mr. Jhally claimed that Dr. Horlick had delayed too long to sue, the court firmly rejected this argument, stating she had made her requests clear.
The Fallout Continues
This dramatic case serves as a cautionary tale about trust and accountability in the world of auto repairs.
With the court ruling in her favor, Dr. Horlick has paved the way for further discussions regarding legal costs and potential interest on her damages.
Both parties will have to return to court to settle these outstanding issues, leaving the final chapter of this extraordinary saga still to be written.
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