A company director has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing over £550,000 from her elderly father-in-law's life savings. Mary Jane Haigh, 63, used the money to fund luxury holidays, supplies for her horses, and her daughter's wedding.
Haigh, who ran an equine transportation business, lived in a £500,000 converted barn with her husband, David Haigh. Despite presenting a successful image, the couple's combined annual income was under £50,000, insufficient to support their desired lifestyle.
Her victim, David Skippen, was described as a wealthy but vulnerable man. After his wife, Mary, died in late 2011, Haigh and her husband allegedly saw an opportunity to exploit his finances. Following a compensation payout from a clinical negligence case related to Mary's care, Mr. Skippen gave his son £25,000 and Haigh £7,500, an act that reportedly fueled their desire for more.
The couple coerced Mr. Skippen into moving closer to them in 2013, first into their home and then into a flat owned by Haigh's daughter, where he was charged approximately £25,000 in rent over three years. In 2015, Haigh and her husband were granted power of attorney for Mr. Skippen, allowing them to make financial decisions on his behalf. That same year, Mr. Skippen's will was altered to include Haigh as a beneficiary.
During this period, Mr. Skippen also faced spurious invoices, including charges from his son for financial advice and regular payments to Haigh's other daughter for care that continued even after he moved into a care home. Mr. Skippen's other son, Dr. Paul Hunt, grew suspicious and attempted to involve social services, the local GP surgery, the Office of Public Guardian, and even the police, but was reportedly told they could not assist with financial matters.
In 2015, Haigh and her husband sold Mr. Skippen's house for £286,000, keeping the proceeds. Mr. Skippen's health declined, and he was diagnosed with dementia in 2017, leading to his move into a care home. In January 2020, Haigh and her husband relinquished their power of attorney, citing inability to contribute to his care costs. Mr. Skippen died four months later, with his savings depleted, leaving the local council to cover an unpaid £30,000 care bill.
An investigation into the Haighs and the missing money was underway when David Haigh died in 2023 in an incident ruled accidental. His widow subsequently faced trial alone at Bristol Crown Court. The prosecution argued that the couple acted together out of greed, describing their actions as predatory and viewing their victim as a "piggy bank."
Haigh was found guilty of theft and two counts of fraud spanning from 2012 to 2020. In addition to her prison sentence, a proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for next year. Dr. Hunt expressed relief that justice had been served, noting the loss of time with his father and the public cost incurred by Haigh's actions. The court heard that Haigh also spent funds on holidays, including a trip to Peru, and supplies for her horses and llamas. The final indignity, according to reports, was Haigh disposing of Mr. Skippen's ashes without informing his surviving relatives.