A graphic designer claiming to be John Hemmes’ secret second son is suing for a $4.1million portion of the late magnate’s estate.
Edward Cameron, 27, claims he was born to Mr Hemmes and Fiona Cameron, a woman with whom the hospitality tycoon allegedly had an affair between 1983 and 1989.
In the 1990s, DNA tests found that Mr Cameron was 99.6per cent likely to be Mr Hemmes’ son after Ms Cameron took him to court to win child support payments.
But Mr Cameron said his father never acknowledged him or spoke to him and even took out an apprehended violence order when he tried to find him, NSW Supreme Court heard yesterday.
Edward Cameron (pictured outside court yesterday), 27, claims he was born to Mr Hemmes and Fiona Cameron, a woman with whom the businessman allegedly had an affair between 1983 and 1989. He is now demanding $4.1million inheritance cash
Mr Cameron claims his father never spoke to him or acknowledged him. Pictured: Bettina Hemmes, Justin Hemmes and John Hemmes pose at the Pacha Launch at the Ivy on November 24, 2012 in Sydney
In court yesterday, Ms Cameron (pictured outside court) said she visited all of Mr Hemmes’ houses during their relationship and and even advised him on property deals. She took the magnate to court to win child support payments for her son
When Mr Hemmes – the owner of dozens of Sydney venues including The Ivy – died of cancer aged 83 in 2015, $5.7million was transferred from a Swiss bank account to his two legitimate children, Justin and Bettina, the court heard.
But Mr Hemmes also had a superannuation fund worth $4.1million, money from which he had used to pay child support to Ms Cameron.
Now Mr Cameron, who went to high school on the Gold Coast before moving to Germany for a while, is demanding the $4.1million goes to him instead of Mr Hemmes’ widow Merivale.
His lawyer, Lindsay Ellison SC, said in court yesterday that it was a reasonable amount to ask to set him up in life, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
The executor’s barrister Noel Hutley SC admitted that Mr Cameron was ‘irrebuttably presumed to be the son of Mr Hemmes’ but said that any money awarded should be less than $1million.
He urged the judge to avoid granting what he called Mr Cameron’s ‘wish list’ of money to buy a car and home.
Justin Hemmes, 36, poses for an Instagram photo with his father John Hemmes, who died of cancer in 2015. The tycoon left his son and heir Justin in charge of his empire named after his wife Merivale
Amber L’Estrange, Justin Hemmes, Merivale Hemmes and John Hemmes (left to right) arrive for Vogue Australia’s 50th Anniversary Party at Fox Studios on July 31, 2009
Ms Cameron said she visited all of Mr Hemmes’ houses including this home called The Hermitage
In court yesterday, Ms Cameron said she visited all of Mr Hemmes’ houses during their relationship and and even advised him on property deals.
She also claimed that even when she fell pregnant, the magnate would still call her and ask her out.
The court also heard that Mr Cameron sent his father pictures of himself from Germany and tried to get in touch – but was told by his father’s manager Kerrie Boylett that he would have to undergo more DNA testing if he wanted to see him.
Mr Cameron allegedly decided not to go through with the tests but later tried to find his father’s home, only to turn up at the wrong address.
John Hemmes died in 2015 after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the blood cells. Pictured: The Newport Arms, part of his empire
Originally a fashion house, Merivale has grown into a portfolio of more than 50 restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels in Sydney including the Coogee Pavilion (pictured)
This prompted Ms Boylett to threaten an apprehended violence order if he tried again, the court heard.
Justice Lindsay said the case was ‘tragic’ and had caused Mr Cameron much ‘anxiety.’
He declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Mr Hutley has not responded to a request for comment.
Dutch immigrant John Hemmes died in 2015 after a long battle with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the blood cells.
He left his son and heir Justin in charge of his empire named after his wife Merivale.
Originally a fashion house, Merivale has grown into a portfolio of more than 50 restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels in Sydney.
Justin Hemmes is now CEO of his late father’s Merivale empire which consists of some of the most popular venues in Sydney. He is pictured with his model girlfriend Kate Fowler