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Software tycoon in property battle with ex-wife (30 October 2014)

Date: 30/10/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Software tycoon in property battle with ex-wife

A software tycoon has told a divorce court that his former wife is a “psychopath” – while she has alleged he is “cruel, spiteful and wicked”.

The Evening Standard reports that Anthony Colborne, 53, is locked in a bitter property struggle with his ex-wife Lynda Colborne, 60.

Mr Colborne says he should be allowed to keep a property worth £1.2 million – the couple are thought to have assets in excess of £5m.

Mr Colborne also alleges that his three teenage children have not asked to see their mother since the couple split. In a statement read in court Mr Colborne said:

“The children displayed and expressed great relief at not having [Mrs Colborne] in the family home, with all the turmoil that [she] brought.

“They have taken very little interest in her and have never asked to visit her.”

Mrs Colborne took an overdose in 2012 and her husband has repeatedly referred to her as a “psychopath” in court papers.

Mrs Colborne’s legal team claim that Mr Colborne conducted his financial affairs with “arrogant contempt” for her – and she has accused her ex-husband of being “cruel, spiteful and wicked”.

Mr Colborne has sold off overseas investments without consulting his former wife – she claims he has hidden assets worth £800,000.

He sold his £5m share in a software company he set up in 2007 and has not worked since then. Other investments and venues include a loss-making coffee shop in Berkshire and investments in Morocco which have yet to yield any profit.

Mrs Colborne has accused him of concealing assets, including the proceeds of the sale of two properties in North Africa.

Her divorce lawyer told the hearing:

“In short, the husband is a law unto himself. He does not consider the wife to have made any contribution to the marriage worthy of recognition.”

Earlier this year, a judge in the Family Court awarded Mrs Colborne all of her husband’s pension, the family house in Berkshire and £16,000.

The hearing has now gone to the Court of Appeal. Mr Colborne has appealed the previous court decision on the grounds that he has had to bring up his three children – which include 16-year-old twin girls – following the couple’s separation.

Mr Colborne’s barrister told the hearing:

“It was not appropriate for the judge to ignore the fact that the children live with their father and do not see their mother.

“To do so was to fail to address properly – or at all – how they will be housed or clothed and fed and have their school fees met.”

Mr and Mrs Colborne married in 1995, separated in 2011 and were divorced earlier this year.

Mr Colborne denies hiding assets and says any monies have gone to pay off the couple’s joint obligations, school fees, and an overdraft and mortgage.

Judgment was reserved until a later date.

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