Family's heartache after dying dad's £25k life insurance pocketed by handyman from Hemel

Father-of-two Richard Fletcher, 50, was diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2017 and despite undergoing chemotherapy, was given a prognosis of just 18 months.

Advised to claim his life insurance, Mr Fletcher went to his bank to transfer £49,000 to his mortgage lender to make sure his family were secure in their home in Newport Pagnell.

Unfortunately, Mr Fletcher accidentally transferred the money into the account of glass fitter Scott O’Neill, 44, living in Stanford Road, Luton, who had recently been hired to fit a splashback in the family’s kitchen.

“Richard was furious with himself for his mistake,” said wife Patricia.

“He’d had Scott’s account details in his wallet as well as those of our mortgage provider, so that he could pay him for materials.

“It was so hard watching Richard worrying over money when he should have been enjoying the little time he had left with us.”

After two weeks of waiting to hear back from his mortgage lender, Mr Fletcher realised his error.

He was told by the bank there was nothing they could do, as they did not cross-check beneficiaries’ names with account details, although its systems have since changed.

By this time, O’Neill, previously of Sanfoin Road, Hemel Hempstead, had already spent half the cash before giving the rest back.

“Scott repaid half the amount over the next few days, but admitted he had spent the other half,” said Mrs Fletcher.

“He said he thought the lump sum was an insurance pay-out he was awaiting.

“It was agreed between us that he would repay £1,000 per month until it was paid off. But he wasn’t forthcoming and he was getting annoyed when we contacted him.”

A further agreement to repay £200 a month was also ignored, and Mr and Mrs Fletcher were forced to track down O’Neill after he changed his address.

Mr Fletcher’s brain cancer returned in March 2018, and during this time he and his wife were weighed down undergoing civil proceedings via Luton County Court.

Sadly, Richard Fletcher died on October 29, 2018, with the matter still unresolved.

O’Neill filed for bankruptcy and a notice was published in the London Gazette on November 12, 2018, just a month after Mr Fletcher had died.

Mrs Fletcher succeeded in gaining a County Court judgment in January 2019.

However, she has not received a penny of her husband’s lost cash.

She said: “We tried absolutely everything and it’s a very hard fact to accept.

"Solicitors are unable to do anything further as he has declared bankruptcy.

“I’ve now been told by the official receiver that as it’s more than 12 months after he was declared bankrupt he will not be pursued...they had no resources to investigate it before the 12 months.”

O’Neill was approached for comment by the Luton News but did not respond before our press deadline.