Olympic sailor Peter Bromby and his brother John have launched a malicious prosecution suit against a man who accused them of assault.

According to the brothers’ lawyer, they are seeking compensation for damage to reputation, lost time at work and legal fees incurred during the case brought by Henry Talbot.

The pair were found guilty in May 2005 at Magistrates’ Court of assault and using threatening words against Mr. Talbot during a property dispute, when they discovered he was bulldozing rock formations on a Somerset beach.

The brothers were handed an absolute discharge, and later successfully appealed their conviction in the Supreme Court.

According to lawyer Richard Horseman, the brothers believe Mr. Talbot instituted the proceedings maliciously for the purpose of “getting back at them” for highlighting their concerns that the construction project was destroying longtail nests.

“There were these allegations made that they hit him with pipes and physically assaulted him — they maintain their innocence in that regard, as well as the other charge of using threatening behaviour. They believe this was a malicious prosecution,” Mr. Horseman told The Royal Gazette.

He said it was not possible at this time to put a figure on the amount of compensation the brothers wish to seek, and that papers are yet to be served on Mr. Talbot.