A contentious legal battle has erupted following the sale of a valuable stamp collection by Ray Watts, a 90-year-old stamp enthusiast, who sold his prized possession worth £200,000 to his cleaner, Sue Pope, for a mere £1.

This surprising arrangement took place just before Watts passed away in 2021, and it didn’t stop there—he also left the majority of his £250,000 estate to Pope in his will.

Family Friction and Legal Proceedings

Watts’ decision has sparked outrage among his three children from his first marriage, who each received £15,000, while his three stepchildren from his second marriage were completely cut out, leading to a bitter court dispute.

Beverley Neate, Watts’ stepdaughter, is challenging the will, arguing that her father could not have intended to disinherit her.

She claims that he had previously planned to share his estate among all six of his children and stepchildren.

Claims of Undue Influence and Confusion

Neate’s case, presented in Central London County Court, centers around her assertion that Pope has not proven the will reflects Watts’ true intentions.

Pope contends that she played a much more significant role in Watts’ life than just being a cleaner and caregiver.

She alleges that his decision to exclude Neate was influenced by her disrespectful behavior, such as changing the locks on Watts’ home while he was hospitalized.

Background of Ray Watts and His Relationships

Watts’ family history adds layers to the case.

He had three children—Nicholas, Lesley, and Deborah—with his first wife, Madeline, who passed away in 1995.

He remarried in 1998 to Fay Watts, and together they had Neate and her two brothers, Mark and Sean.

Following Fay’s death in 2011, Watts turned to philately, which became his passion during retirement.

Changing Legal Documents

Initially, a 2007 will aimed to distribute Watts’ estate equally among his six children and stepchildren.

However, after a serious fall that led to his hospitalization in 2019, he drafted a new will that significantly altered this distribution.

The 2019 will allocated £15,000 to each of his biological children and the remaining estate to Pope.

A year later, a codicil further reduced Neate’s inheritance to just £1, prompting her legal challenge.

Evidence of Declining Health and Confusion

Neate’s lawyers argue that Watts was experiencing confusion and cognitive decline during the will’s creation.

They question whether he truly understood and approved the codicil’s changes.

Evidence suggests that Pope played a substantial role in drafting the will, as she arranged for solicitors to meet with Watts in the hospital, raising concerns about potential undue influence.

Mrs. Pope’s Defense and Support

In defense, Pope’s barrister, Elis Gomer, asserts that the allegations against her are unfounded and merely based on speculation.

He emphasizes that Watts had a strong desire to benefit Pope, particularly after her dedicated care during his declining health.

Gomer also highlights that Watts’ biological children support Pope’s account, arguing that their father felt he had sufficiently provided for them during his lifetime.