Eric Watson struggles to stay out of UK prison in contempt, while his partner enjoys the Ibiza lifestyle

Eric Watson is trying to stay out of prison after a UK court sentenced the New Zealand businessman to four months behind bars.

Meanwhile, his partner Lisa Henrekson has apparently been enjoying the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza.

A London judge earlier this month found Watson in contempt of court for withholding information about his assets from Kiwi philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn. He was sentenced to prison overnight.

Watson’s attorney asked to appeal and also asked that the sentence not be immediately imposed.

Henrekson, however, posted several photos on his Instagram overnight.

A photo of Ibiza was in what appeared to be an open air market and was posted with the caption “I love this lifestyle.”

The High Court of England and Wales ruled that Watson was in contempt by failing to comply with court orders after it was discovered that he had cheated on Glenn during their business dealings.

In the opinion of Judge Christopher Nugee, Henrekson is also referred to in connection with a Swedish property he owned with Watson.

Watson’s sentencing marks the latest chapter in the bitter feud with Glenn.

After a lengthy trial, Watson was found liable in 2018 for £ 43.5 million ($ 85 million) and interest compounded at 6.5 per cent per annum in compensation to Glenn’s company, Kea Investments (Kea). He was ordered to pay a provisional sum of £ 25 million ($ 48.8 million) plus costs of £ 3.8 million ($ 7.4 million).

Watson, who previously owned the Warriors league club with Glenn, appealed the ruling, which was dismissed by the UK Court of Appeal in October 2019.

However, Kea accused Watson of being “deliberately reluctant” to provide information about his assets as part of a strategy to thwart compensation recovery efforts.

He requested three contempt orders against Watson on suspicions of interests, including those of his mother Joan Pollock and the Swedish house.

In his decision, Judge Nugee said that “it was demonstrated how blatantly Mr. Watson lied to the Court of Appeal” about the status of his assets.

Judge Nugee said there were “strong grounds” to believe that Watson tried to settle his affairs after the trial to “put himself in the best position to make it difficult for Kea to enforce any judgment.”

While the judge said that he “had no confidence that [Watson] is telling the truth “only found you guilty of contempt for withholding a transaction statement on a” Rainy Day account “in Pollock’s name.

Formerly one of the richest men in New Zealand, Watson also claims that he is now poor. He said in a court statement that “my mother gives me the small amount that I spent in life.”