A WOMAN has lost a court fight with her sisters to keep their mum’s £420,000 home for her “emotional support” dogs.

Sharon Duggan claimed the home in Crawley, West Sussex, for herself after mum Agnes passed away in 2018.

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Sharon Duggan lost a battle for her mum’s house[/caption]

Champion News Service

She claimed she needed the home for her therapy dogs[/caption]

The “hyper-vigilant and sound sensitive” alternative therapist said she needed the house for her therapeutic rescue dogs.

Sharon took her sisters to court after they tried to claim their share in the home, which was left to all three daughters.

Sibling Brenda, who was supported by third sister Ann, fought the case and won after a judge threw out Sharon’s claim.

Sharon had used the 1975 Inheritance Act to argue she deserved “reasonable provision” above her one-third share of her mum’s money.

She claimed her special sensitivity and medical ailments, which include dyslexia, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, Adjustment Disorder and long Covid, meant she should get at least a life interest in the property.

But while the judge accepted that Sharon has “particular issues,” he concluded a flat could not be ruled out as “suitable” accommodation for her.

Central London County Court heard most of Agnes’ estate was tied up in her house, where Sharon had lived and cared for her during her final dementia-stricken years.

After Agnes died, the three sisters ended up in court when Sharon refused to move out – citing her acute physical and emotional needs and the plight of her two rescue dogs.

She insisted her problems far outweighed those of her sisters and argued she had “sacrificed” her career to move in and help out her mum in 2014.

Sharon also claimed Agnes was planning to change her will to ensure the house was left to her.

She told the court she spent £30,000 of her own money on funding Agnes’ hefty vet bills for her beloved Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross, Lady.

In her written arguments to the court, Sharon insisted that “psychologically she could not cope with living in a flat again”.

Her barrister said: “She is anxious that neighbours may cause disturbances and impact upon her ability to sleep.

“She now has two rescue dogs, which help with her mental and emotional well-being, but which makes finding suitable alternative accommodation difficult.

“The claimant maintains that moving from the property would affect her mental health greatly and that having to move into rented or temporary accommodation would further affect her health negatively.”

Sharon said she wanted the house transferred to her outright or the right to a life interest.

She also alternatively suggest an order allowing her to buy her mum’s old property for a small sum, which would be raised with a mortgage.

But Brenda insisted that Sharon and her pets would be fine in a flat.

Judge Alan Johns said he was “satisfied” there was no promise that the house would go to Sharon alone.

He added: “Given the circumstances in which Sharon occupied the property with Agnes, there’s no moral claim strong enough to deprive her sisters of their share of this modest estate.”

The ruling means the sisters are each due a third of their mum’s estate – although Sharon’s share could be wiped out by the court bills for the trial.

Champion News Service

Champion News Service

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD will not be able to drive his Range Rover into Real Madrid training.

The full-back, 26, has penned a six-year deal with the Spanish giants.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to move to Spain[/caption]

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The Liverpool full-back liked to drive a Range Rover into training[/caption]

Alexander-Arnold is said to have regularly driven a £130,000 Range Rover to Liverpool‘s training centre.

But per Spanish outlet El Motor, the England star will be forbidden to do so by his new club.

Real Madrid have a lucrative sponsorship deal with BMW.

As part of the arrangement, the club’s first team players are all gifted a BMW motor each season.

Stars get to choose a car, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham having plumped for the £150k BMW XM.

Should Alexander-Arnold fancy a like-for-like replacement for his Range Rover, he could opt for a spacious BMW X7.

Or if he fancies something slightly smaller and sportier, he could instead give the BMW X5 a go.

Alexander-Arnold is set to be thrown straight in the deep end at Real Madrid, after they agreed a £10million fee with Liverpool to enable the right-back to play at the Club World Cup.

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Bellingham, 21, opted for a plush BMW XM[/caption]

The Reds academy graduate could make his Real Madrid debut against Al-Hilal on June 18.

This will also mark new boss Xabi Alonso‘s first match in charge, having moved from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

First, Alexander-Arnold has joined up with England for this month’s camp.

Boss Thomas Tuchel took his squad out for a team bonding trip to the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend.

The Three Lions will take on Andorra at Espanyol‘s RCDE Stadium this Saturday.

They will then face Senegal in a Nottingham friendly next Tuesday.

THE daughter of a former England cricket star was repeatedly “dismissed” several times by doctors before her sudden death.

Bethan Amy James tragically passed away aged 21 on February 9, 2020 – just 48 hours after being taken to hospital.

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Bethan Amy James died just age 21 on February 9, 2020[/caption]

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Ex-England cricket star Steve James’ daughter is believed to have contracted sepsis[/caption]

Her dad, former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James, was away covering Wales’ Six Nations match in Ireland when Bethan became seriously ill.

Bad weather meant he was unable to travel home in time to see her before she died.

The first day of an inquest into her death opened on June 3, 2020, at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court.

It will probe her care and treatment under Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and consider how she came about her death – which is believed to have been sepsis.

During the hearing, her mother, Jane James, said Bethan was “dismissed” by multiple medics and that “her life could have been saved,” according to WalesOnline.

Speaking at the inquest, Jane described Bethan as a “caring” and “beautiful” person who always put others before herself.

At the time of her passing, Bethan lived in Cardiff and was studying journalism at University.

Jane said her daughter had suffered gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2019 at the age of 20.

Crohn’s is a lifelong condition whereby parts of the digestive system become inflamed.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in stool, fatigue and weight loss.

While there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, treatment can help reduce or control symptoms, according to the NHS.

Bethan had been unwell for sometime, but her loved ones were unaware she could have contracted sepsis.

Jane gave a heartbreaking account at the inquest of the days leading up to her daughter Bethan’s death.

She explained that on Saturday, January 25, 2020, Bethan had gone into town with a friend but came home feeling tired and short of breath.

Concerned, the family booked an emergency GP appointment for the following Monday, January 27.

At that appointment, Bethan’s GP, Dr Jonathan Carnell, was worried enough to refer her urgently to Llandough Hospital for further checks on her breathing.

The inquest heard Bethan was diagnosed with “community acquired pneumonia” on January 28, 2020 and sent home with antibiotics.

But her mum Jane said this wasn’t explained clearly.

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Steve was unable to reach his daughter before she passed away[/caption]

WNS

Bethan had been living with Crohn’s disease[/caption]

“They didn’t tell her ‘community acquired pneumonia’,” she said.

“They said she may have a chest infection and to take antibiotics as a precaution.”

Jane said hearing “pneumonia” would have made them realise how serious it was.

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection, according to the NHS.

It can be treated with antibiotics with most people making a full recovery within a few days of treatment.

However, the condition can be deadly and lead to sepsis in those with underlying health conditions that make their immunity weaker.

‘Abrupt’ and ‘dismissive’ treatment

Despite feeling unwell, Bethan went to university the next day to give a presentation but came home “absolutely exhausted”.

Her condition worsened – she developed numbness, pain, involuntary movements, and couldn’t eat.

“On Tuesday she could drive, and by Sunday she couldn’t hold a cup in her hand,” Jane said.

Jane took her to A&E on February 2, 2020.

She said the nurse that saw her daughter was “abrupt,” and a doctor was “dismissive” of her chest symptoms.

She said he spoke to A&E consultant Dr Chen Wen Ngua for advice as well as to neurology registrar Dr Mark Willis.

It was heard how the outcome of this hospital trip was that Bethan’s symptoms were likely the result of a hemiplegic migraine.

“I don’t feel on the second visit that they fully assessed her,” Jane said.

‘They didn’t appreciate how unwell she was’

Bethan collapsed at home the next day but refused to return, saying she felt dismissed.

Paramedics found her heart rate high but couldn’t force her to go.

By February 5, 2020, her right leg was affected, and Jane took her back. Dr Ngua, who saw her again, said: “You again! You were here on Sunday.”

He later told the inquest he “did not mean to be dismissive.”

A medic noted her heart rate was high but assumed the machine was broken.

“Definitely,” Jane said when asked if Bethan should have been admitted.

“She was so unwell. They didn’t appreciate how unwell she was,” she added.

A neurology follow-up was arranged only after Jane threatened to escalate. Bethan “could barely walk out of the hospital.”

The next day, medics had “no idea” why they were there – the referral hadn’t been recorded.

Again her heart rate was “off the scale” and dismissed. Her breathing problems weren’t checked.

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Her mum Jane claims doctor dismissed her serious symptoms[/caption]

Jane criticised Dr Willis for saying: “He had seen a 17-year-old girl with similar symptoms and that she is now symptom free and fine.”

She added: “I have no idea how he could say this to Bethan without diagnosing her.”

Blood tests were ordered, but Bethan was too dehydrated.

Jane said: “I felt they just wanted Bethan out of there as soon as possible.”

Dr Willis told the inquest he was trying to reassure the family.

He said her symptoms were rare for sepsis and only mild weakness was observed.

Sepsis is the body’s extreme and dangerous reaction to an infection.

It can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly.

By February 8, 2020, Bethan was bedridden.

Jane said she looked “dreadful” and had pale nails.

Despite her mum’s offers to call an ambulance, Bethan said Dr Willis had told her she’d be fine. Jane eventually called 999.

Paramedic Paul Humphries couldn’t record her blood pressure – a sign of sepsis Jane only now understands.

He requested a low-priority ambulance (P3), later upgraded to P2. “I don’t know why someone doesn’t get a P1 when they are so unwell,” Jane said.

Paul told the inquest he believed he acted appropriately.

At hospital, they waited in the ambulance despite a bed being available. Bethan was finally triaged at 8:10pm and taken to resus over an hour later.

PA:Press Association

Jane (pictured with Steve) thinks the doctors would have treated her differently had she been 17[/caption]

‘They didn’t know what they were doing’

Jane described “chaos” as medics struggled to insert a line and there was no clear lead on her care.

“She could hardly breathe and was so scared.”

An anaesthetist sedated her.

“I felt that with that, her body lost its ability to fight.”

Shortly after, Bethan had a cardiac arrest.

“As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,” Jane said.

The mum said that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter.

The NHS sepsis protocol requires urgent antibiotics, fluids, and monitoring within one hour of spotting sepsis symptoms.

“She should have had the right care straight away… It’s heartbreaking as a mum to know her life could have been saved.

“They didn’t know what they were doing.”

The inquest continues.

A HUGE change to compensation rules is being plotted by the financial ombudsman after a spike in complaints.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is proposing to change the interest rate applied to the compensation awarded to consumers and tie it to the Bank of England (BoE) base rate.

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The FOS is plotting a change to the way customers receive compensation[/caption]

It comes after a rise in the number of complaints to the FOS, with more than 140,000 registered in the second half of 2024 – a 49% hike on the same time period in 2023.

If someone is found to have lost out because of their financial firm’s errors, the ombudsman can order the business to pay compensation, plus interest.

There are different types of interest businesses can be directed to pay, and one of these compensates consumers for being “deprived” of money (not having it available to use) such as when it finds a claim has been wrongly turned down by a financial firm.

The ombudsman can currently direct businesses to pay 8% interest on top of the compensation for the period their customer was out of pocket.

It can also tell a business to pay 8% interest if it does not pay compensation on time.

But the service said feedback suggests the interest rate “could be better aligned with, and reflect, market conditions”.

For new complaints submitted to the service, it is recommending changing the interest rate so it tracks against the Bank of England’s average base rate plus one percentage point.

The base rate would be calculated as an average rate over the period that the money was due until the date redress payment is made.

The consultation is gathering feedback on this recommendation as well as other potential options and proposals for implementation.

The BoE base rate currently sits at 4.25%, its lowest level in two years.

Economists have speculated that two more reductions could happen this year.

James Dipple-Johnstone, interim chief ombudsman at the FOS, said the service welcomes feedback “on whether our proposed new interest rate strikes the right balance between simplicity, fairness and proportionality”.

The consultation will run until July 2 and the service said further proposals around its service will be brought forward in the summer.

What the base rate affects

The base rate is the rate charged by the BoE to smaller high street banks.

If it rises or falls, it has a knock-on effect on a host of other things, including mortgage rates and savings rates.

For example, a host of banks and building societies have been slashing interest rates on their saving accounts in recent months following a number of BoE base rate falls.

This includes Newcastle Building Society, NatWest and Nationwide.

But the lower base rate has also seen interest rates drop for mortgage holders as well.

According to moneyfactscompare.co.uk, the average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate today is 5.13%, down from 5.93% a year ago.

Meanwhile, the average five-year fixed residential mortgage rate today is 5.10%, down from 5.50% a year ago.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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