Lynda Rickard, 62, is guilty of forging millionaire James Sootherans will before starving him to death.
Mr Sootheran died in his home in South Newington in March 2014. Despite being over 6 foot tall, James weighed little over 9 stone when he died. Lynda Rickard is the first woman in over a century to be jailed for murder by “deliberate starvation”.
Mr Sootheran was found in an “unhygenic, foul” cell in which he was starved to death. Despite the cause of his death, James’ body was found next to chocolate and a big bag of McDonalds. The death was not initially treated as suspicious but the police were asked to investigate after Lynda used Jame’s bank card after his death.
Lynda Rickard first met James in 2011 whilst caring for his mum, known as Joy. As Joy’s carer, Lynda was paid £47,000 a year to look after her up until her death in 2012. She admits forging Joy’s will in order to inherit half of her £1.5 million estate.
Whiles Rickard admits to stealing thousands to pay for her children to receive a private education, she denies murder. Instead she claims millionaire Mr Sootheran’s death is due to his lifestyle. Lynda claims Mr Sootheran was suffering with complex mental health issues that turned him into “a recluse” who was prone to “gross neglect”
Refusing to testify at the trial, police body cam footage shows Mrs Rickard casually lighting a cigarette while being arrested for murder. Judge Justice Wall sentenced Mrs Rickard to 28 years in prison for “death by deliberate starvation”.
Millionaire murder accomplices sentenced too.
Rickards husband, Wayne, is also charged with “causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult”. He was sentenced to just 10 years in jail for his part in the millionaires murder.
The Rickards continued to live in the estate for three years after James death until they were evicted. Mr Sootherans daughter, Hannah, has won a civil case against them in order to reclaim the contents of her fathers eastate.
In addition to murder, Mrs Rickard pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud, two counts of forgery and conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice. Both Mr and Mrs Rickard were found guilty of fraud in relation to the purchase of a £33,000 Mitsibushi Shogun with James money.
Four unnammed friends were also charged in relation to creating false wills for both of the deceased.
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