Millionaire spied on wife via CCTV

 

The 61-year-old Mr Ratcliffe was a chartered surveyor who went on to earn most of his money as a consultant finding potential sites for Sainsbury's supermarkets, while Mrs Ratcliffe worked in part of his business.

 

They separated in 2016, but continued living together before Mr Ratcliffe embarked on a "creepy" bid to force her out. Anne Hussey QC, her barrister, said, "Despite being aware of her fragile mental health, the husband showed a deplorable level of control and embarked on a campaign designed to drive the wife from the family home'".

 

In 2018, Mr Ratcliffe was ordered to leave the family home.

 

Judge Wallwork, sitting at the Family Court, ordered the couple to split the £6.9 million with each receiving £3.45 million. The family judge said the break-up was "among the most acrimonious" he had ever dealt with.

 

In a move described by his former wife's lawyers as another example of his "controlling" behaviour, Mr Ratcliffe appealed, and the payout was overturned as Court of Appeal judges said the previous assessment of the size of the family fortune "overstated the true position". Lord Justice Moylan ruled that a flawed approach to the decision meant it could not stand.

 

Lord Justice Moylan, sitting with Lord Justice Popplewell and Lord Justice Phillips, declined to make a new ruling and sent the case back to Judge Wallwork.

 

Mandy Peters Solicitors 

Lewisham