CORRECTED: UK financier and actor found not guilty of harassment.
Michael Coleman, a financier and actor who made a number of abusive calls to staff at UK production company Revolver and CEO Justin Marciano, was today found not guilty of harassment by a judge at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court.
Marciano was not present in court.
The judge declined the prosecution’s request for an adjournment and said there was not enough evidence to grant a restraining order against Coleman, who had both invested and appeared in a handful of Revolver features including Sket and Bonded By Blood.
Coleman was charged with harassment by police in January 2013 and the criminal prosection was brought by the CPS.
The court heard from the prosecution how Coleman sent a number of abusive messages to Marciano and Revolver staff demanding re-payment of thousands of pounds he and other financiers claimed were owed after investing in films produced under Revolver’s Gunslinger banner.
The court also heard that the last contact with Marciano since the charges were brought against Coleman was in March.
Producer and actor Terry Stone of Gateway Films, a regular collaborator with Revolver, was present at the trial as a witness for the accused.
Coleman will now seek repayment for his incurred legal costs.
Award-wining distributor Revolver, known for titles including Anuvahood, iLL Manors and Heartbreaker, went into administration in April only eight months after receiving significant investment from French financier Corniche.
ScreenDaily first reported staff departures at Revolver in January and first reported on the company’s offices being closed for business in March.
