A mother is suing her son who allegedly influenced her to hand over £70,000 in life savings when she was sick.
Widow Gwendolyne Wild, 77, claims her son John Cann influenced her to give him the cash while she was suffering from severe depression, Parkinson's disease and possibly dementia.
A writ has been issued in the High Court by Southend-based TMK Solicitors naming Mr Cann, of Wakering Road, Shoebury.
According to the document Mrs Wild's condition, together with the medication she took, affected her memory and capacity for rational thought.
It added that she was often left disorientated, confused and anxious.
On November 12, 2001, Mrs Wild, of Sweyne Avenue, Southend, went with her son to the Southend branch of the Halifax where she handed him a banker's draft for £50,000 - the bulk of her savings, the writ says.
It is alleged that Mr Cann later cashed the banker's draft.
Mrs Wild claims that 12 days later she and her son went back to the same branch and took out another draft for £22,840, which he is alleged to have cashed.
The writ says that on March 7 last year, Mr Cann wrote saying he was holding £22,840 on behalf of his mother, at her request.
But is it claimed that despite requests from Mrs Wild, he refused to give back the cash.
Now Mrs Wild is suing Mr Cann for repayment of the money, with interest, and an order setting aside any gift she may make to him on the grounds that she lacked capacity to make the gifts.
A spokeswoman at TMK, based in Alexandra Street, refused to comment.
Published Friday, January 24, 2003
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