Man allegedly killed by stepson over will dispute

Dr Jason Waite was in a long-running legal battle with his stepfather over his mother's estate, a trial heard

A dispute over a rented cottage allegedly led to an 87-year-old man being killed by his stepson, a court heard.

Prosecutors claim Dr Jason Waite, 54, "hated" his stepfather, Peter Skilton, following a long-running legal battle over his mother's estate in Snitterby, Lincolnshire, which was valued at more than £5m.

A trial at Lincoln Crown Court heard Mr Skilton died from a head injury after he was thrown to the ground by Dr Waite.

Pavlos Panayi KC, prosecuting, said the incident on 17 December was witnessed by two new tenants who had moved into the cottage the previous night.

Jurors heard the cottage was let by Mr Skilton who had been left the property by his late second wife, Eileen Skilton, who died in 2018, aged 74.

Mr Panayi explained that following Mrs Skilton's death, her son from her first marriage, Dr Waite, was involved in an "expensive" legal battle with his stepfather.

This ended in a High Court judgement just nine days before Mr Skilton's death.

After that ruling, on 9 December, the prosecution allege Dr Waite, of Church Lane, Waddingham, wanted to stop his stepfather from renting out the cottage and a solicitor's letter expressing his concerns was sent to Mr Skilton.

'Knocked out cold'

Jurors heard the new tenants Anthony and Pamela Tootell, began moving in on 16 December, and Dr Waite arrived at the property the next day.

Mr Panayi told the jury: "He barged in past Mr and Mrs Tootell and began removing furniture."

Mr Panayi said the Tootells contacted Mr Skilton, who was just a minute away, and he arrived at the cottage.

The prosecution claim Dr Waite grabbed Mr Skilton by the lapels of his jacket and then pushed him back along the gravel drive towards a concrete area.

"Unsurprisingly when Peter Skilton's head struck the ground he received a serious injury," Mr Panayi explained. "Peter Skilton was immediately knocked out cold."

Mr Skilton was airlifted to hospital in Hull where he died on 19 December.

'Six years arguing'

The prosecution allege Dr Waite sat calmly and placidly while efforts went on to try and save his stepfather.

Mr Panayi told jurors Dr Waite later explained that he was in shock and did not try to intervene as he had no medical training.

"These two individuals spent six years arguing over probate, quarrelling over who was entitled to what from Eileen Skilton's estate," Mr Panayi said.

A post-mortem examination carried out by pathologist Dr Michael Biggs found brain injuries to Mr Skilton caused his death and were consistent with him hitting the back of his head on the ground.

He agreed the nature of Mr Skilton's head injury did not give any indication to the cause of his fall.

Dr Waite denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter relating to Mr Skilton's death.

The trial continues.

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