Father Christmas will not be texting anytime soon. That’s the basis of an agreement between Gary Rusch, the erstwhile Father Christmas at Hemingways Mall last December, and his ex-father-in-law, Eugene Henning.
Rusch has agreed not to send any text messages to his ex-wife, Henning’s daughter.
But Rusch has maintained that Henning “turned me into a bad Santa”, stalking him in the mall and provoking a response from Rusch.
Rusch was on duty at the mall in full Father Christmas garb a week before Christmas last year, when he allegedly attacked Henning.
The incident happened in clear view of shoppers and children waiting to have their picture taken with the red suited character. Henning, who claimed he was in the mall that day to enjoy the Salvation Army’s performance of Christmas carols, pressed assault charges against Rusch, a local magician who has been working in East London for 40 years.
The charges were withdrawn in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday after Rusch agreed to not send any cellphone text messages to his ex-wife, or make any derogatory comments to or about her.
The magician told the Dispatch yesterday he had agreed to the settlement because a criminal conviction would have affected his work and travel abroad.
“The court is not interested in the truth,” Rusch said.
Henning could not be contacted for comment yesterday. — rayh@dispatch.co.za
Slapping Santa slapped with restraining order
Rusch has agreed not to send any text messages to his ex-wife, Henning’s daughter.
But Rusch has maintained that Henning “turned me into a bad Santa”, stalking him in the mall and provoking a response from Rusch.
Rusch was on duty at the mall in full Father Christmas garb a week before Christmas last year, when he allegedly attacked Henning.
The incident happened in clear view of shoppers and children waiting to have their picture taken with the red suited character. Henning, who claimed he was in the mall that day to enjoy the Salvation Army’s performance of Christmas carols, pressed assault charges against Rusch, a local magician who has been working in East London for 40 years.
The charges were withdrawn in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday after Rusch agreed to not send any cellphone text messages to his ex-wife, or make any derogatory comments to or about her.
The magician told the Dispatch yesterday he had agreed to the settlement because a criminal conviction would have affected his work and travel abroad.
“The court is not interested in the truth,” Rusch said.
Henning could not be contacted for comment yesterday. — rayh@dispatch.co.za
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