_{Lock, stock: how it didn't look.}

A locksmith has been upbraided for belittling and insulting a trainee solicitor and his supervisor when they acted for his competitor.

Banham Patent Locks Limited accused Danny Rogers, owner of key-cutting business J Rogers & Sons, of infringing its patents by cutting copies of Banham’s patented keys at his branches in Putney and Liverpool Street.

Instead of filing a recognisable defence, Rogers sent Banham’s lawyers at IP specialist Mewburn Ellis a series of emails denying infringement "that were not only increasingly offensive but which also became threatening”, said the court.

In October 2025, Rogers sent Liam Batty, then a trainee solicitor assisting solicitor Caroline Hart with the claim, an email asking for a "private conversation" about the number of notches in his keys, in the format of jeering free verse:

"Just wanted a private conversation me and you
We both know mine are 2 not 3
Guessing your company gets paid no matter what?
But personally
You [happy] about that?
3/4 years university?
Law degree
But you know
It's disappointing my friend
Be nice to catch up after though"

A week later, Rogers sent Batty an extract of the trainee’s online profile, commenting how easily he could be located:

"You 'hope to qualify'?
Anyways
You don't even play rugby
You're a fly half? And you play for Harlow
Jeez [emojis]
(But you can't count to 4?)
If I could give you any advice, don't put your personal stuff out there?
Anyone could find you?
Just be careful
I honestly wish you the best in your career (not fly half)
But you can see the evidence I supplied?
You know
But, after the court, I'll take you down and meet some of the Quinn's players?
I trained some of them as kids
Have a great weekend
Just delete social media or have a different work name kid? No one needs to see your photo and 2+2?
It's a tricky path and I'm sure you'll figure it out"

When the deadline for a defence passed and Mewburn Ellis asked Rogers if he needed an extension of time, the locksmith responded on the same day with an expletive-laden diatribe:

"I've served enough of a defence to put your claim to bed in under minute

I've given you dates I can make the court to explain to someone 

that has an IQ older than you

Just give me the court date

Stop fucking me around

I've had an absolute enough of your bullshit

Just court date

Fucking parasites"

Rogers followed up with a sinister email to Hart written in his distinctive poetic format:

“We do have a forum
I just put out there
The Turkish have gone batshit
I don't dislike you, you're just doing a job?
But don't fuck with them?
And obviously I'll see you in court
Just stay safe? And don't wind up the Turkish?"

He emailed her again a fortnight later:

"just know I Know how much of your argument is fake evidence and fraud
and I'll prove that
I do believe that can result in a prison sentence?
See you Tuesday"

Granting summary judgment in favour of Banham in the High Court, Mrs Justice Bacon said it was “much to the credit of Mewburn Ellis that their responses to Mr Rogers' emails were both measured and courteous at all times”.

Rogers’ correspondence was “wholly unacceptable” and he “seems to have thought it appropriate to send abusive and threatening emails to Mewburn Ellis, including particularly unpleasant emails to both Ms Hart, and Mr Batty who was then a trainee”, said the judge.

She said there was “no reason whatsoever for Mr Rogers to make any reference to Mr Batty's qualifications or his personal life, and the threatening terms of those comments, as well as his threats to Ms Hart, are matters of very serious concern”.

The judge noted that Rogers became a more “courteous litigant” at the hearing, making “repeated apologies” for his conduct and displaying a “very different attitude in court”. Mewburn Ellis, presumably mindful of the Turkish, did not respond to a request for comment.