A woman described as 'greedy and entitled' has been ordered by the High Court to repay £2.6 million after spending her mother's fortune on luxury holidays, fine dining and a lavish wedding for her daughter. Sandra Thomas, 65, together with her husband Philip, misused over £1 million from the bank accounts of her mother, Jeanne MacDougall, treating them as a 'personal piggy bank'.
The couple also unduly influenced the pensioner into handing over three properties, including a family holiday home, worth around £1.6 million. Judge Nicola Rushton KC ruled that while the will largely benefiting Sandra and Philip was valid, they must pay back the money and properties or their value to the estate. Builder Gary MacDougall, Sandra's brother, is entitled to half of the £2.6 million.
The court heard that the MacDougall family fortune came from property developer Alec MacDougall's substantial real estate portfolio in west London. Gary argued that his parents had always promised equal treatment and that a 2008 will had provided a broadly equal split. However, a 2011 will cut Gary out, leaving everything to Sandra and Philip.
Gary claimed the will was invalid due to his mother's lack of mental capacity and dementia, but the judge upheld it. The couple admitted overstepping their duties under a lasting power of attorney but argued the spending was an advance on inheritance and done to reduce inheritance tax.
