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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Gwyneth Paltrow leans over to tell skier 'I wish you well' leaving court victorious

Gwyneth Paltrow leaned down and whispered in Terry Sanderson's ear after she won her ski collision trial.

The retired optometrist alleged that Paltrow skied "out of control" and hit him at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, in 2016, which the actress denied.

A jury ruled in favour of Paltrow following the trial which saw jurors hear testimonies from Paltrow, Sanderson, family members and expert witnesses.

On Thursday jurors gave their decision after just over two hours of deliberation. She was awarded compensatory damages of one dollar.

As she exited the courtroom she touched Sanderson on the shoulder and whispered: "I wish you well."

Gwyneth Paltrow leans down to speak to Terry Sanderson (Getty Images)

Sanderson told reporters outside court following the verdict that her words had been “very kind”. “I said ‘thank you dear’,” he said.

Speaking after the verdict Paltrow said she was “pleased with the outcome”.

She said: “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity.

“I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”

Actor Gwyneth Paltrow and attorney Steve Owens react as the verdict is read in her civil trial (Getty Images)

Sanderson sued Paltrow over the 2016 crash and claimed Paltrow collided with him "knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries".

Sanderson had been seeking damages of $300,000 (£246,000) in the civil lawsuit, while Paltrow, filed a counter-claim, in which she wanted her legal fees paid and damages of $1 (82p).

Paltrow and Sanderson, who both gave evidence during the trial, were present in court for the verdict.

The actress wore a blue blazer, with a white shirt and brown trousers, and did not appear to react as the verdict was returned.

Terry Sanderson listens as the verdict in his trial is read out (Getty Images)

During the trial, Paltrow took to the stand to say she feels "very sorry" for Sanderson following his injuries.

However, she denied any wrongdoing, reiterating in her testimony multiple times that she had been the "victim" of the crash.

The Oscar-winning actress said she could not be "at fault" for Mr Sanderson’s subsequent health decline as she had not caused the accident.

Giving evidence on Wednesday Mr Sanderson told the court it was “very difficult” to sue a celebrity and said he felt the point of the trial had been to make him “regret” bringing action against the Hollywood actress.

Gwyneth Paltrow leaves the courtroom after hearing she won the ski collision trial (Getty Images)

Mr Sanderson’s lawyers previously suggested the jury award him damages of more than three million dollars in the case.

During closing arguments on Thursday the court heard that Ms Paltrow faced a “ransom” for a “meritless claim”, and that she had shown “courage” by attending court for the two-week trial.

Stephen Owens, representing Ms Paltrow, said the actress had sat in court for two weeks as a “punching bag” and had been “uncomfortable” during proceedings.

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