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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Peppa Pig boss ‘loses £300,000 after he was sacked for brandishing a pen at his boss' in five-year court battle
AN EX-Peppa Pig exec has lost £300,000 after being sacked for threatening his boss with pen. Mark Dowding, who earned up to £160,000 a year at toy giant The Character Group PLC, was given the boot and left with a hefty bill after a five-year court battle. Advertisement 5 Mark Dowding former group finance director of Peppa Pig toy company The Character Group PLC took the company to an employment tribunal Credit: Champion News Service 5 The Character Group PLC are makers of Peppa Pig plushies and Doctor Who toys Credit: Champion News Service 5 Despite the ruling, the former Peppa Pig exec launched several appeals Credit: Champion News Service The former chief financial officer, who may be forced to sell his home and pension, was dismissed in 2017 after a breakdown in trust, following a heated row with his boss where he allegedly pointed a pen in a threatening way. He took the company, makers of Peppa Pig plushies and Doctor Who toys, to an employment tribunal, claiming he was unfairly dismissed and that the pen incident was fabricated. But in 2020 Employment Judge Omar Khalil said: "The tribunal concludes that the incident as described by [Mr Dowding's boss] did occur, which included the claimant pointing towards him brandishing a pen in a threatening manner." Despite the ruling, the former Peppa Pig exec launched several appeals. Advertisement LEGAL BATTLE Despite the ruling, Dowding launched several appeals and a High Court claim, running up eye-watering legal costs. One remaining claim is still live- but he's now been told it will be struck out unless he coughs up the £288,000 he owes from his failed legal bids. High Court judge Richard Spearman KC said the financial blow puts Dowding at risk of losing his £850,000 home and his pension, his only regular income. The judge quoted Greek tragedy writer Sophocles, saying: "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it'. Advertisement Most read in The Sun He added: "That, in my view, is the predicament in which the claimant Mr Dowding now finds himself." THE PEN INCIDENT Mr Dowding joined The Character Group in 2012 and was earning £110,000 plus a potential 50 per cent bonus by the time of his dismissal. The 2017 incident unfolded during a heated meeting with his boss, Mr Shah. Judge Khalil said: "Their discussion became heated and voices were raised. Advertisement "The claimant accepted in evidence he raised his voice first. "Mr Shah also alleged that the claimant had pointed a pen towards him, causing Mr Shah to retreat. "This was set out in his email, which followed this altercation on the same day. "In that email, Mr Shah said: 'You raised your voice towards me in a threatening manner and pointed a pen in my face whilst rolling forward towards me with your chair. I had to roll my chair back to prevent injury to my face'.' Advertisement THE FIGHT GOES ON After losing at tribunal, Dowding refused to back down, instead filing a flurry of appeals and launching a High Court claim. In December 2023, an order was made securing his legal costs against the equity in his Rotherhithe Street home in south London. Judge Spearman said: "Essentially as a result of the way in which he chose to plead his case and to contest the efforts of TCG to restrict that case to what is properly arguable, a number of substantial orders for costs were made against Mr Dowding in July 2024. "Mr Dowding sought, but was refused, permission to appeal against those orders to the Court of Appeal. Advertisement "According to the disclosure Mr Dowding has provided, his only source of income is his personal pension, and his only substantial assets are his personal pension fund and the equity in his home. "He now faces losing that fund, and maybe also his home, to meet those costs orders. Read more on the Irish Sun "He is in a very unhappy position because, on the disclosure he has made, he can ill-afford to meet these costs liabilities: either his home may be forfeit or his pension may be forfeit - possibly, if things go on the way they have, both. "That is a consequence of bringing and pursuing expensive litigation which has all been unsuccessful, resulting in the costs orders." Advertisement 5 After losing at tribunal, Dowding refused to back down, instead filing a flurry of appeals and launching a High Court claim Credit: Champion News Service 5 Despite the ruling, Dowding launched several appeals and a High Court claim, running up eye-watering legal costs Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Peppa Pig boss ‘loses £300,000 after he was sacked for brandishing a pen at his boss' in five-year court battle
Ex-Peppa Pig exec still fighting in court five years after being sacked PIG PEN Ex-Peppa Pig boss 'loses £300,000 after he was sacked for brandishing a pen at his boss' in five-year court battle Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EX-Peppa Pig exec has lost £300,000 after being sacked for threatening his boss with pen. Mark Dowding, who earned up to £160,000 a year at toy giant The Character Group PLC, was given the boot and left with a hefty bill after a five-year court battle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Mark Dowding former group finance director of Peppa Pig toy company The Character Group PLC took the company to an employment tribunal Credit: Champion News Service 5 The Character Group PLC are makers of Peppa Pig plushies and Doctor Who toys Credit: Champion News Service 5 Despite the ruling, the former Peppa Pig exec launched several appeals Credit: Champion News Service The former chief financial officer, who may be forced to sell his home and pension, was dismissed in 2017 after a breakdown in trust, following a heated row with his boss where he allegedly pointed a pen in a threatening way. He took the company, makers of Peppa Pig plushies and Doctor Who toys, to an employment tribunal, claiming he was unfairly dismissed and that the pen incident was fabricated. But in 2020 Employment Judge Omar Khalil said: "The tribunal concludes that the incident as described by [Mr Dowding's boss] did occur, which included the claimant pointing towards him brandishing a pen in a threatening manner." Despite the ruling, the former Peppa Pig exec launched several appeals. LEGAL BATTLE Despite the ruling, Dowding launched several appeals and a High Court claim, running up eye-watering legal costs. One remaining claim is still live- but he's now been told it will be struck out unless he coughs up the £288,000 he owes from his failed legal bids. High Court judge Richard Spearman KC said the financial blow puts Dowding at risk of losing his £850,000 home and his pension, his only regular income. The judge quoted Greek tragedy writer Sophocles, saying: "It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it'. He added: "That, in my view, is the predicament in which the claimant Mr Dowding now finds himself." THE PEN INCIDENT Mr Dowding joined The Character Group in 2012 and was earning £110,000 plus a potential 50 per cent bonus by the time of his dismissal. The 2017 incident unfolded during a heated meeting with his boss, Mr Shah. Judge Khalil said: "Their discussion became heated and voices were raised. "The claimant accepted in evidence he raised his voice first. "Mr Shah also alleged that the claimant had pointed a pen towards him, causing Mr Shah to retreat. "This was set out in his email, which followed this altercation on the same day. "In that email, Mr Shah said: 'You raised your voice towards me in a threatening manner and pointed a pen in my face whilst rolling forward towards me with your chair. I had to roll my chair back to prevent injury to my face'.' THE FIGHT GOES ON After losing at tribunal, Dowding refused to back down, instead filing a flurry of appeals and launching a High Court claim. In December 2023, an order was made securing his legal costs against the equity in his Rotherhithe Street home in south London. Judge Spearman said: "Essentially as a result of the way in which he chose to plead his case and to contest the efforts of TCG to restrict that case to what is properly arguable, a number of substantial orders for costs were made against Mr Dowding in July 2024. "Mr Dowding sought, but was refused, permission to appeal against those orders to the Court of Appeal. "According to the disclosure Mr Dowding has provided, his only source of income is his personal pension, and his only substantial assets are his personal pension fund and the equity in his home. "He now faces losing that fund, and maybe also his home, to meet those costs orders. "He is in a very unhappy position because, on the disclosure he has made, he can ill-afford to meet these costs liabilities: either his home may be forfeit or his pension may be forfeit - possibly, if things go on the way they have, both. "That is a consequence of bringing and pursuing expensive litigation which has all been unsuccessful, resulting in the costs orders." 5 After losing at tribunal, Dowding refused to back down, instead filing a flurry of appeals and launching a High Court claim Credit: Champion News Service
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Son of ‘car boot king' claims dad's dementia was so bad when he cut him out of £43m will he drove his car at 2 kids
THE son of a multimillionaire claimed his dad's dementia was so bad when he cut him out his will that it caused him to drive his car at kids. Adam Scott, 62, is embroiled in an inheritance dispute with his step-mother as he pursues the £43 million fortune he alleges he was promised by his 'car boot king' father Richard. 4 A bitter family row has emerged following the death of multimillionaire Richard Scott Credit: Macclesfield Express 4 Adam, the eldest of Richard's 19 sons, is suing his step-mother after he claims he was promised the farm Credit: Champion News Service Ltd 4 Richard died in 2018 - leaving his fortune to second wife and former cleaner, Jennifer Credit: Champion News Service Richard died in 2018 at the age of 81, leaving his fortune to his second wife and former cleaner, Jennifer, 60. He amassed his £43 million fortune through running a vast Cheshire farm where ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed. Adam, the eldest of Richard's 19 sons, is now suing his step-mother after he claims he was promised the farm. The disinherited "golden boy" - who worked on the farm for 40 years - argued that his father was not in his right mind when he signed the two final wills. Read more News London High Court heard that Richard's dementia was so bad that he "drove his car at some children during the car boot sale" and even attacked his own wife and kids. Psychiatric expert Dr Hugh Series explained there were "objective indicators of changes in Richard's behaviour" around the time he signed the disputed wills. He told the court Richard "drove his car at some children during the car boot sale" and "hit another car with his car". Richard also displayed "poor behaviour" including "punching his wife, pushing and grabbing years into a dementia diagnosis". Most read in The Sun Dr Series explained that there had been reports of him "attacking the door with a hammer and a screwdriver and [having] to be stopped by his children". He added: "His wife was so worried about him, she slept in another room and locked the door. "This seems to me to be quite extreme." But Alex Troup KC told the judge that Richard had been on dementia drug Donepezil when he aimed his car at kids attending the car boot sale. Earl loses bid for £85m estate after being cut from family fortune with dad disappointed by son's 'lack of achievement' The barrister claimed it was the drug that caused his unusual behaviour and that his mental state had "improved" when he was taken off it after six months. Mr Troup said: "He made a valid will afterwards. "The fact that before making that will he drove a car at another car is not much evidence of lack of testamentary capacity. "Richard always had a temper and could turn on anyone without warning. "Dementia illnesses often have the effect of exaggerating peoples prior personality traits." Professor Alistair Burns also disagreed that Richard showed signs of his capacity being impaired. Professor Burns told Mr Justice Richards that Mr Scott's ability to express himself had been affected by the progressive disease rather than his ability to comprehend. Adam also argued that his dad promised him he would have the right to take over the farm after his death. He claimed that he sacrificed everything to commit to "a life of hard and unrelenting physical work" on the back of those promises. But Jennifer's lawyers allege that Richard knew exactly what he was doing when he disinherited his first born. They told the court that Adam's relationship with his dad "completely broke down" when he tried to get Richard sectioned. Adam had previously tried to prevent Richard's wedding to Jennifer, claiming his dementia had incapacitated him. It led to Richard being interviewed by four registrars and a lawyer from the local council, who confirmed he did have the capacity to marry. They also say he has no claim to his dad's estate on the basis of the alleged promises having already been handed land and property worth over £10m by Richard before his death. Through the court proceedings, Adam hopes to restore his father's 1995 will which granted him "a 40-year tenancy of his father's farm and an option to purchase the farm at its probate value". When Richard amended the will in 2016, Jennifer's two sons, Gordon and William Redgrave-Scott, and Adam's sister Rebecca Horley also became beneficiaries. 4 ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed on Richard's £43 million vast farm in Cheshire Credit: Champion News Service
Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Son of multi-millionaire ‘Car boot King' SUES step-mum for dad's £43M fortune after he was cut out of will
The dispute could affect the millionaire's 19 children GIVEN THE BOOT Son of multi-millionaire 'Car boot King' SUES step-mum for dad's £43M fortune after he was cut out of will Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE son of a multi-millionaire "car boot king" is embroiled in an inheritance dispute as he goes after his father's £43 million fortune. Richard Scott died in 2018 at the age of 81, leaving his fortune to his second wife and former cleaner, Jennifer Scott. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Richard Scott, died in 2018 at aged 81, leaving his fortune to his wife Jenifer Credit: Macclesfield Express 4 ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed on Richard's £43 million property in Cheshire Credit: Champion News Service 4 His son Adam is disputing the inheritance, claiming his father's dementia meant he couldn't sign a will amendment Credit: Champion News Service Ltd 4 Richard married his former cleaner Jennifer in 2016, and the pair had seven children together Credit: Champion News Service He amassed his £43 million fortune through running a Cheshire farm where ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed. Adam Scott, 62, the eldest of Richard's 19 sons is now suing his step-mother after he claims he was promised the farm. He says he spent 40 years working on the farm, starting at the age of nine, with the inheritance promised as a reward. After marrying Jennifer, who is 28 years his junior, in 2016, Richard proceeded to write Adam out of the will. Read more News CROC TEARS Moment 'selfish' Constance sobs over baby she's guilty of killing while on run Instead he left his new wife in charge of his "huge quantity of land" which is officially valued at £7 million, although Jennifer believes it to be worth around £43 million based on offers. The pair began dating in 1994. In a High Court legal battle, Adam is suing his stepmother over her inheritance of his father's land. He argues that his father was not in his right mind when he amended and signed his final two wills. Adam had previously tried to prevent Richard's wedding to Jennifer, claiming his dementia had incapacitated him. It led to Richard being interviewed by four registrars and a lawyer from the local council, who confirmed he did have the capacity to marry. Richard's other children all "had expectations of inheritance" according to The Telegraph. He fathered six children with his first wife, six illegitimate children during that relationship, and a further seven children with Jennifer. Once Adam paid the probate value of the land, he believed his other siblings would be "provided for either by rental income or a lump sum paid", as per the original inheritance plan. Through the court proceedings, Adam hopes to restore his father's 1995 will which granted him "a 40-year tenancy of his father's farm and an option to purchase the farm at its pprobate value". When Richard amended the will in 2016, Jennifer's two sons, Gordon and William Redgrave-Scott, and Adam's sister Rebecca Horley also became beneficiaries. The dementia that Richard was diagnosed with in 2011 had reportedly left him almost "incapable of speaking" by 2016. Jennifer's lawyers claim that Richard had cut his son out of the will after he tried to have him sectioned by social services in September 2013. A further complaint by Adam in July 2025 that Richard was abusing Jennifer and his children led to an investigation that was later closed. Alex Troup KC, representing Jennifer, said: 'Richard was angry with Adam for reporting him to social services and their relationship deteriorated as a result.' The lawyer also claimed that Adam had already been awarded land and property worth more than £10 million while his father was still alive. The trial is ongoing.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Son of multi-millionaire ‘Car boot King' SUES step-mum for dad's £43M fortune after he was cut out of will
THE son of a multi-millionaire "car boot king" is embroiled in an inheritance dispute as he goes after his father's £43 million fortune. Richard Scott died in 2018 at the age of 81, leaving his fortune to his second wife and former cleaner, Jennifer Scott. 4 Richard Scott, died in 2018 at aged 81, leaving his fortune to his wife Jenifer Credit: Macclesfield Express 4 ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed on Richard's £43 million property in Cheshire Credit: Champion News Service 4 His son Adam is disputing the inheritance, claiming his father's dementia meant he couldn't sign a will amendment Credit: Champion News Service Ltd 4 Richard married his former cleaner Jennifer in 2016, and the pair had seven children together Credit: Champion News Service He amassed his £43 million fortune through running a Cheshire farm where ITV's Car Boot Challenge was filmed. Adam Scott, 62, the eldest of Richard's 19 sons is now suing his step-mother after he claims he was promised the farm. He says he spent 40 years working on the farm, starting at the age of nine, with the After marrying Jennifer, who is 28 years his junior, in 2016, Richard proceeded to write Adam out of the will. Read more News Instead he left his new wife in charge of his "huge quantity of land" which is officially valued at £7 million, although Jennifer believes it to be worth around £43 million based on offers. The pair began dating in 1994. In a High Court legal battle, Adam is suing his stepmother over her inheritance of his father's land. He argues that his father was not in his right mind when he amended and signed his final two wills. Most read in The Sun Adam had previously tried to prevent Richard's wedding to Jennifer, claiming his dementia had incapacitated him. It led to Richard being interviewed by four registrars and a lawyer from the local council, who confirmed he did have the capacity to marry. Richard's other children all "had expectations of inheritance" according to He fathered six children with his first wife, six illegitimate children during that relationship, and a further seven children with Jennifer. Once Adam paid the probate value of the land, he believed his other siblings would be "provided for either by rental income or a lump sum paid", as per the Through the court proceedings, Adam hopes to restore his father's 1995 will which granted him "a 40-year tenancy of his father's farm and an option to purchase the farm at its pprobate value". When Richard amended the will in 2016, Jennifer's two sons, Gordon and William Redgrave-Scott, and Adam's sister Rebecca Horley also became beneficiaries. The dementia that Richard was diagnosed with in 2011 had reportedly left him almost "incapable of speaking" by 2016. Jennifer's lawyers claim that Richard had cut his son out of the will after he tried to have him sectioned by social services in September 2013. A further complaint by Adam in July 2025 that Richard was abusing Jennifer and his children led to an investigation that was later closed. Alex Troup KC, representing Jennifer, said: 'Richard was angry with Adam for reporting him to social services and their relationship deteriorated as a result.' The lawyer also claimed that Adam had already been awarded land and property worth more than £10 million while his father was still alive. The trial is ongoing.
