03 April 2012

Man Murdered By Wife and Daughter

The wife and daughter, of man who disappeared ten years ago, have been found guilty of his murder.

Sixty-three-year-old Don Banfield was last seen leaving his London home back in 2001.

Shirley Banfield, 64, and her daughter Lynette Banfield, 40, of Ashford Road, Canterbury, Kent, were convicted of his murder at the Old Bailey today.

Mr Banfield's death had been treated as a missing persons case for over eight years but in 2009 his former employers, bookies William Hill, became suspicious and the police investigation was reopened.

It is understood that the court was told Mr Banfield was murdered by his wife and daughter after he signed a contract to sell the family home, which resulted in a £120,000 profit.

Before his disappearance has recently retired from his management position at William Hill and he had plans to sell his house, live of his pension and set up on his own.

The court claim that the motive for Mr Banfield's murder was the fact that Ms Banfield and her daughter would be without a home and without income.

The duo had denied murder, but pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, forgery and conspiracy to pervert justice.

(LB/GK)