A company director has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing over £550,000 of her elderly father-in-law's life savings to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury holidays, horse supplies, and her daughter's wedding.
Mary Jane Haigh, 63, used the money from David Skippen, who was described as a wealthy but vulnerable elderly man, to fund extravagant spending. Haigh lived in a £500,000 converted barn, kept horses and llamas, and frequently traveled to exotic destinations. Her victim's savings were depleted over several years while Haigh was purportedly caring for him. After the money ran out, she reportedly abandoned Mr. Skippen, leaving the taxpayer to cover £30,000 in unpaid care bills.
Exploiting Vulnerability
Haigh, who ran a high-end equine transportation business, married David Haigh, one of Mr. Skippen's sons, in 1994. Despite presenting as a successful businesswoman, the couple's combined annual income was less than £50,000, insufficient to support the lifestyle Haigh desired. Mr. Skippen, who was mortgage-free and had substantial savings, became a target after his wife, Mary, died in late 2011.
Haigh and her husband allegedly began to exploit Mr. Skippen's finances, coercing him into moving from his home in Devizes, Wiltshire, in October 2013. He was initially moved closer to the couple in Hallen, South Gloucestershire, and then to a flat owned by Haigh's daughter from a previous marriage. Over three years, Mr. Skippen was charged approximately £25,000 in rent for this accommodation.
In 2015, the Haighs registered as having power of attorney for Mr. Skippen, granting them legal authority over his affairs. That same year, Mr. Skippen's will was altered, changing from an equal distribution among his grandchildren to a 25% share for Haigh. During this period, Mr. Skippen was also charged for spurious services, including £150 an hour for financial advice from his own son, and a regular wage for Haigh's other daughter, which continued even after he moved into a care home.
Mounting Suspicion and Deterioration
Mr. Skippen's other son, Dr. Paul Hunt, grew suspicious and attempted to initiate investigations into his father's circumstances as early as 2014. He contacted social services, the local GP, the Office of Public Guardian, the hospital, and the Financial Conduct Authority. Despite his efforts, including reporting concerns to the police in 2015, no immediate action was taken regarding the financial matters.
In 2015, Mr. Skippen's house was sold for £286,000, with the proceeds retained by the Haighs. Mr. Skippen's health deteriorated, and in 2017, he was diagnosed with dementia and moved into a care home. Four months after his death in April 2020, at the age of 84, the Haighs relinquished their power of attorney, citing their inability to contribute to his care costs. The local council subsequently covered the £30,000 unpaid care bill.
Justice and Aftermath
By the time Mr. Skippen died, police had begun investigating the Haighs and the missing funds. In 2023, Haigh's husband died in what was ruled an accidental rifle incident, preventing him from facing criminal charges. Haigh was subsequently tried alone at Bristol Crown Court, where she was found guilty of theft and two counts of fraud spanning from 2012 to 2020. She was sentenced to six years in prison, with a proceeds of crime hearing scheduled for the following year.
Dr. Hunt expressed relief that justice had been served, noting the loss of time with his father and the dignity he lost. He highlighted the public cost of Haigh's fraud while she lived a luxurious life. Haigh's spending included funds for horse supplies, upgrades to her property, car improvements, nursery fees, and international travel, including a trip to Peru that inspired her to keep llamas.
A final indignity for the family was Haigh's disposal of Mr. Skippen's ashes without informing or inviting his surviving relatives to attend.