A woman described as 'greedy and entitled' has been ordered to repay £2.6 million after a High Court battle with her brother over their mother's fortune. Sandra Thomas, 65, and her husband Philip Thomas were found to have misused over £1 million of Jeanne MacDougall's money, spending it on luxury holidays, fine dining, and their daughter's five-star wedding.
Details of the Case
Judge Nicola Rushton KC ruled that the couple acted 'without any regard whatsoever' for Jeanne's needs, using her bank accounts 'as if they were their own.' The judge also found that they had unduly influenced the elderly woman into transferring three properties, including a family holiday home, now worth approximately £1.6 million.
Background
The family fortune came from property developer Alec MacDougall, who built a substantial real estate portfolio in west London. After his death, Jeanne made a will in 2008 that broadly split the estate equally between her children, Gary and Sandra. However, a 2011 will left most assets to Sandra and her husband, prompting Gary to challenge its validity.
Gary claimed that Jeanne lacked mental capacity due to dementia and that the couple had misappropriated funds. He sought a share of over £1 million spent by Sandra and Philip on themselves, including meals at the Ivy, holidays, new cars, and their daughter's wedding at the Savoy.
Court Decision
The judge upheld the 2011 will but ruled that the couple must repay the money taken and return the properties or their value. The total repayment amounts to around £2.6 million, of which Gary is entitled to half. Despite this, Sandra and Philip will still inherit a significant portion of the estate, estimated to be at least double Gary's £1.3 million share.
The exact value of the estate is yet to be calculated, but the ruling ensures that Gary receives a substantial payout from the previously depleted residue of the estate.
