The daughter of a Georgian billionaire and her husband are suing for over £36 million after claiming their London mansion was infested with moths, the High Court has heard. Iya Patarkatsishvili and Dr Yevhen Hunyak bought the seven-bedroom Notting Hill home, complete with a pool, spa, gym, wine room, library, cinema and a 'snoring room', for £32.5 million in May 2019.
Days after moving in, they noticed signs of an infestation that they say destroyed clothing and ruined their wine. Dr Hunyak told the court that moths landed on toothbrushes, cutlery and plates of food, and that he had to tip away glasses of wine containing floating moths. The couple claim they were swatting up to 100 moths a day, and despite treatment, still kill up to 35 daily.
They are suing the seller, William Woodward-Fisher, a 68-year-old property developer and former Olympic rower, alleging fraudulent misrepresentation or negligence in failing to disclose previous moth issues when answering pre-sale inquiries about vermin. The couple says the source is wool insulation behind walls and ceilings, costing nearly £10 million to replace. They seek over £36 million, including the house being bought back and compensation for expenses.
Woodward-Fisher denies the claims, insisting he gave honest replies and believed any previous moth problems had been resolved. His barrister argued that moths are not vermin, so they were not relevant to the inquiry. He also says the couple's repair estimate is overblown, putting the true cost at £162,652. The trial continues, with the judge expected to reserve his decision.
