Trio jailed for attempting to pocket £4 million fortune of woman who died in Hertfordshire
Leigh Voysey claimed to have been named as sole beneficiary in a will made by Maureen Renny
Three people have been sentenced to a total of over 12 years in prison for attempting to steal the fortune of a woman who passed away in Hertfordshire.
In 2021, Leigh Voysey claimed to have been named as sole beneficiary in a will made by Maureen Renny, who she'd befriended only once before her death.
Maureen was the owner of a £4 million estate in Much Hadham, Bishop’s Stortford.
The deceased’s family, who knew nothing of Voysey or the will, reported the matter to police suspecting it was a forgery.
It transpired that 46-year-old Voysey - from Standon Road in Bishop’s Stortford - forged the document and planned to keep the family's inheritance for herself and her friends, who were 'witnesses' and had 'verified' the will.
The trio appeared at court in October 2024 following their arrest, pleading guilty to the charges.
They returned to St Albans Crown Court today, Thursday 5 December, for sentencing.
Detective Constable Sian Beames, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit who lead the case, said: “This was an extremely complex and long running investigation, which required detailed study of probate law and examination of the forged document.
“Voysey had befriended the deceased on only one occasion before she died and saw an opportunity to wrongfully make a claim to ownership of the estate. She had previously been a pupil at the deceased’s school – having left over 30 years ago. The family, with help from our detectives, was able to prove that this was an opportunistic attempt to steal the family’s inheritance and keep the proceeds for herself and her accomplices.
“The victims who were the true beneficiaries of the estate had been further subject to a lengthy civil trial costing thousands. The impact on them has been huge in terms of mental, physical and emotional distress”.
Leigh Voysey was sentenced to six years and six months for fraud by false representation and four years and six months for forgery, to run concurrently.
Amber Collingwood, who's 44 and from Red Lion Court in Bishop’s Stortford, was sentenced to three years and six months for forgery, whilst 42-year-old Ben Mayes, formerly of Milwards, Harlow, has been handed two years six months for forgery.