A woman described as 'greedy and entitled' has been ordered by the High Court to repay £2.6 million after plundering her elderly mother's bank accounts to fund luxury holidays, meals at The Ivy, and her daughter's five-star wedding at The Savoy. Sandra Thomas, 65, engaged in an 'extensive and wholesale' misuse of her mother Jeanne MacDougall's assets, treating them as a personal piggy bank, according to Judge Nicola Rushton KC.
The ruling follows a bitter legal battle between Sandra and her brother, Gary MacDougall, 70, over their mother's will. The judge upheld Jeanne's 2011 will, which largely benefited Sandra and her husband Philip Thomas, but found that the couple had unduly influenced the pensioner into transferring three properties worth approximately £1.6 million. Additionally, they misappropriated over £1 million from Jeanne's bank accounts before her death.
Background of the Dispute
The MacDougall family fortune originated from property developer father Alec MacDougall's substantial real estate portfolio in west London. Gary, who worked with his mother in the family business, claimed that the siblings were promised equal inheritance. Jeanne's 2008 will provided a broadly equal split, but a 2011 will left all four properties to Sandra and Philip, with Sandra inheriting most of the cash.
Allegations of Misconduct
Gary alleged that Sandra and Philip misused over £1 million of Jeanne's money, spending it on meals at The Ivy, holidays, new cars, shopping trips, and their daughter's wedding at The Savoy. The couple admitted overstepping their duties under a lasting power of attorney but argued it was an advance on inheritance, as most of the cash was destined for Sandra under both wills.
Judge Rushton rejected claims that Jeanne lacked mental capacity when signing the 2011 will, finding she was genuinely grateful for the couple's support. However, she ruled that the transfers of a £400,000 holiday home in Peacehaven and two flats in Ealing were the result of undue influence, describing a pattern of 'greed and a sense of entitlement.'
Court's Findings
The judge stated: 'The misuse of Jeanne’s bank accounts by Sandra and Philip was extensive and wholesale... Jeanne’s accounts and her assets were simply used by Sandra and Philip as if they were their own, without any regard whatsoever for any fiduciary duties.' She found that the couple breached their duties under the power of attorney, spending Jeanne's money on themselves in a 'deliberate misconduct driven by greed.'
The effect of the ruling is that the 2011 will stands, with Sandra and Philip retaining properties Jeanne owned at death. However, the estate's residue—of which Gary gets half—will be swelled by the return of the three properties and compensation for the misappropriated funds, totaling around £2.6 million. Sandra and Philip are still expected to inherit at least double Gary's share.
