A former Deputy Tribunal Judge and her husband have each been sentenced to six months in prison for forging a Will and other crimes of dishonesty.
Margaret Avis Hampshire, 69, and Alan Royce Hampshire, 67, were sentenced on Wednesday (December 21) after pleading guilty to forging the Will of Martin Blanche who died in February 2007.
Margaret Hampshire pleaded guilty to fraud and two counts of forgery and Alan Hampshire pleaded guilty to forgery and two counts of theft.
Martin Blanche’s estate comprised mainly of property in the village of Rolleston, that being Middle Corner House and a share of End Corner House.
After forging his Will, Margaret Hampshire made a false statement on oath that the Will of Martin Blanche was a true and original document.
The forged Will transferred the estate of Martin Blanche to the cousin of Margaret Hampshire, a woman named in the forged Will Josephine Burroughs.
There is no evidence to suggest that Josephine Burroughs knew that the Will was forged; Margaret Hampshire held a Power of Attorney for Josephine Burroughs.
She admitted in court she dishonestly exceeded her position as attorney for Josephine Burroughs by transferring Middle Corner House and End Corner House at Rolleston to her daughter.
Margaret Hampshire also admitted that she created a forged document which she kept at home to avoid inheritance tax had a need ever arisen.
Despite transferring Middle Corner House and End Corner House to their daughter, Margaret and Alan Hampshire then converted the two properties into one which they named Wheatsheaf Cottage.
Alan Hampshire admitted to stealing a total of £23,176 from Josephine Burroughs during 2012.
The police investigation found the money was used to pay for renovation works for Wheatsheaf Cottage.
Josephine Burroughs died on January 22 2014 before the police investigation commenced.
The Hampshires were arrested on September 30 2014 and denied the offences up until the early stages of the trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
