Divorced couple jailed for stealing daughter's £2.6 million compensation in England

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Cathy Watson                                                                                      Robert 

A divorced couple who stole almost £500,000 from their severely brain-damaged daughter's £2.6million compensation fund have been jailed.

A judge said Cathy Watson, 44, betrayed the trust between a mother and a daughter 'in the most appalling and distressing way' as she sentenced her to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Watson's ex-husband, Robert Hills, 50, was jailed for three years and four months after Judge Jacqueline Davies outlined how the pair spent huge amounts of cash on top-of-the-range cars, jewellery and even cosmetic surgery.

Doncaster Crown Court heard how the couple bought more than a dozen cars, including luxury BMWs and Mercedes.

Watson bought a Mini Cooper which she had completely resprayed and reupholstered in pink and finished with a personalised number plate.

Judge Davies recalled how the pair spent thousands of pounds on jewellery and 250 Royal Doulton ornaments.

'We just spent and spent and spent,' Hills told police.

Hills, 50, admitted four counts of theft from the fund which was supposed to provide for Samantha Svendsen, now 29, whom he adopted when he married Watson.

Watson, 44, was found guilty of three counts of theft and one of converting criminal property following a trial last year.

The compensation was awarded to their daughter Miss Svendsen, who suffers from cerebral palsy and needs round-the-clock care after suffering brain damage due to medical negligence at her birth











SOURCE-DAILYM