Will the Wrecker: his day in court against former meter maid boss Michael Yarwood

Reclusive Gold Coast millionaire Will the Wrecker has scored a massive court victory over former Meter Maids boss Michael Yarwood, with the loser ordered to pay an eye-watering amount of money.

GOLD Coast millionaire recluse Will the Wrecker has won his case against former meter maids general manager Michael Yarwood.

Judge Glenn Martin in the Supreme Court in Brisbane today handed down his decision in favour of Mr Smith who owns the Reedy Creek wrecking yard.

Gold Coast millionaire and junkyard recluse Will Smith arriving at Brisbane Supreme Court. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

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His orders include Mr Yarwood paying Mr Smith $1.65 million along with interest of $204,866. He will also have to pay court costs.

Southport barrister Chris Garlick, who organised the defence team for Mr Smith and conducted a lengthy investigation, estimated the costs could be up to $500,000.

The long-running legal saga saw Mr Yarwood first seek $1.9 million in lost earnings relating to the alleged termination of his contract as Mr Smith’s business adviser.

But Mr Smith launched a counter legal attack where he sought $1.65 million, which the Department of Transport and Main Roads had paid as part of the money for the resumption of his wrecker’s land.

A bank statement tended to the court showed the $1.65 million was deposited into an account controlled by Mr Yarwood on December 2016, under the bank reference “TRANSPORTMAINROA”.

Former Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood arriving at Brisbane Supreme Courts. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

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Mr Yarwood did not appear in court today and documents provided on his behalf sought delays because of health issues.

Outside the court, Mr Smith told The Bulletin: “It’s been a battle. But we’ve finally got there. It has become (public), there’s a lot of money involved. I was not really happy about being in the public eye. I like to do my own thing. This is a big win, this one.”

Mr Smith admitted the court proceedings had led to less time being among his old model cars.

“We still have one acre of land with a whole lot of vintage cars on it. Plus a couple of containers full of parts,” he said.

Will Smith, known as Will the Wrecker, his West Burleigh yard. Pic: Glenn Hampson.

“This has been going on now for nine months, right. I feel pretty uptight about the whole thing, you know. But it’s a long drawn out process, these court cases. Plus it’s very, very expensive. You’ve got to defend it, right.

“The first case against us was for $2 million, right. We had to defend it. We got up on that one. And now we got up on the second one. And there’s more to come, don’t worry.”