A self-proclaimed psychic who appeared on major TV programmes is facing a £216,000 legal bill after losing an inheritance battle against his sister and niece. Gary Pammen, also known as 'The Cockney Bard,' claimed powers of healing and second sight but failed to foresee his own legal defeat.
Background of the Dispute
Gary Pammen, a psychic poet who says his verses are telepathically channelled by spirits, appeared on BBC, Sky, and ITV. He sued his sister Tracy Pammen and her daughter Paige Pammen after their father, Terrance Pammen, died at age 83 in May 2022. Terrance left his entire £451,840 estate—primarily a house in Stratford, east London—to Tracy and Paige, despite having five children.
Gary challenged the 2016 will, arguing his father lacked 'testamentary capacity' and did not 'know and approve' its contents due to mental frailty. However, Judge Simon Monty upheld the will, ruling in favour of Tracy and Paige, and ordered the TV clairvoyant to pay substantial legal costs.
Court Findings
Judge Monty stated: 'This entire claim is based upon no more than suspicion borne out of a family disagreement with Tracy... around about the time of his mother’s death.' He added that Gary's belief was based on 'confirmation bias' and that he was 'simply unable to accept that his father did not leave him, his sister Jackie or his brother Mark anything.'
Gary, representing himself, told Central London County Court that the 2016 will had 'completely disinherited' Terrance’s children and grandchildren—apart from Tracy and Paige—beyond 'a few worthless chattels.' Excluded from monetary value were his other siblings: Mark, Jacqueline, and Gemma, none of whom were parties in the litigation.
Evidence and Testimony
Gary, 65, now living in Norfolk, said he spoke to his father daily and loved him, seeing no clear reason for disinheritance. He insisted Terrance lacked a sound mind when signing the will, alleging it was drawn up during 'documented cognitive and progressive impairment.' He also claimed Tracy 'raided' their father’s bank accounts—an allegation dismissed by her lawyers.
Defending the will, Tracy and Paige said Terrance was 'totally sharp' when making the will and had firm views. Tracy noted her father was still working sorting shopping trolleys at Morrisons when he made the will and continued for up to three years after. Her barrister, Tom Gosling, said expert evidence from a psychiatrist confirmed Terrance was of sound mind, and while diagnosed with dementia in 2020, he showed no signs of failing memory until 2017 or 2018.
Paige testified: 'He knew that he would be cared for by us; that’s why he left all this to me and my mother because he knew we would be responsible for him.'
Judge's Ruling
The judge found: 'It is in my view crystal clear... that Mr Pammen had testamentary capacity.' He noted that Gary’s case was based on suspicion and confirmation bias. Regarding the alleged bank withdrawals, the judge said: 'I am not persuaded that the withdrawals were made by Tracy, save where Tracy accepted having made some more modest withdrawals for groceries.'
The judge ordered Gary to pay £216,013.85 in court costs, with a £150,000 upfront payment, stating: 'I can see no good reason for not ordering that Gary should make a payment on account.'
