An island woman died before the outcome of a lengthy court battle over her home was found in her favour.
Ann Wood’s adulterous partner treated her “extremely harshly” a sheriff has determined.
Sheriff David Sutherland told her lawyer, Kathleen Maciver, he had “no hesitation”
in awarding her client £135,000 as compensation for the home her ex-
In addition, the sheriff made a court order preventing Thompson selling the house or croft at 21A New Shawbost, Lewis.
Stornoway Sheriff Court previously heard that Thompson, of Shawbost, Lewis, was having a secret affair with neighbour Paula Melrose, 42.
Without a word, the pair abandoned their partners and took the ferry to the mainland in July 2011.
A betrayed Ann Wood was devastated, especially having spent over £164,000 on a dream home. Thinking they would spend out their lives together, she used money inherited from her father’s will on their “forever” home.
Before she died of cancer late last year, Ann Wood told a civil court, that Mr Thompson pledged not make any claim on the house.
But cheating pair changed their minds and forced Ann out of her home by Christmas that year.
Though she paid for constructing the property, the house sits on croft land which is solely in Anthony Thompson’s name.
She sued her former partner for the money but never lived to see it.
In his judgement, sheriff David Sutherland, said it was a “very sad case with both parties suffering serious illness.”
However, he criticised Mr Thompson’s cheating behaviour and his eviction of Ms Wood, saying the court “must endeavour to rectify” with fairness.
Anthony Thompson is entitled to appeal the ruling.
Sheriff condemns “harsh behaviour” of cheating partner
2 April 2015