Published: Saturday, 14th June, 2008 5:00pm

Man cleared of will forging charge

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THE son of a businessman, whose multi-million pound will was faked, has been cleared of the forgery.

Philip Swanston, 55, of Mill Street, Colnbrook, was acquitted by a jury at Reading Crown Court of fabricating a witness signature on Thursday last week.

Jurors rejected the evidence of a forensic handwriting expert who

suggested the defendant was probably the man who had falsely signed the document.

The tale only came to light when his late father Jimmy Swanston's lover, Pat Powell, was omitted from the £2.6m will following his death on January 15, 2003 when he was

89-years-old. She claimed her partner, who was 35-years-older than her, promised twice to ‘take care of her' and instructed solicitors to investigate.

They discovered that the name of Peter Coletti, a family friend of the Swanstons, had been signed on both Jimmy's will and that of his wife, Florence, in September 2002. However, Mr Coletti told police that he had never signed the papers.

Although many had pointed fingers at the son, Mrs Swanston said that her late husband had admitted the forgery.

She said: "Jim had told me he had signed his new will but he had problems with witnesses on the farm. I asked who he had got to sign it and he said ‘Peter Coletti.' I said ‘I didn't realise Peter was up in Colnbrook', and he told me ‘No, I signed his name.'"

The family believed Mr Swanston did not include Ms Powell, of Langley, in the will because it was a potential embarrassment to Florence, who he still remained married.

Instead he wanted to leave a sperate payment of £2,000 for Ms Powell who he enjoyed a 14-year relationship with.

On learning of the omission Ms Powell launched a civil action against the estate for £500,000 but eventually settled for £10,000.