The world of the Neale family finally fell apart on Friday.

Rosemary Neale was found unconscious in her son Jonathan's flat in Colchester. She later died from head injuries.

It was the latest and saddest chapter in the tragic tale of the Neale family.

Rosemary Neale, nee Gower, a former beauty queen and fashion model, was triple winner of the Miss Norwich title and runner-up in the Miss TV Times contest.

In 1977, she married Jimmy, a dynamic solicitor and former hockey international. Mr Neale made 42 appearances for his country including two World Cup tournaments.

He also cut a dash on the cricket ground and golf course becoming vice-captain of Colchester and East Essex First IX and a member of Colchester Golf Club.

For three years, the good times rolled. But then their world started to fall apart.

Three dishonoured cheques totalling £110,000 started the solicitor on the slippery slope.

Mr Neale, who had set up a law practice in Head Street, Colchester, was struck off by the Law Society in 1980 after investigators discovered £1.3 million was missing from clients' accounts.

It was described as "reckless misuse of clients' money on a massive scale".

The practice was closed down and Mr Neale was kicked out of the golf club and in his own words became "persona non grata among the establishment of Colchester."

He went from a wealthy, respected professional to a man almost destitute and broke.

The family lived from wages of Mrs Neale's modelling assignments for holiday brochures and selling shoes on an East End market stall.

In 1985, Mr Neale was jailed for three years after admitting cheating banks and clients out of more than £200,000. The family home was put up for sale.

But like a story from a Jeffrey Archer novel, he clawed his way back.

By 1991, the family, Jimmy, Rosemary and their three childrenwere living in the plush surroundings of Lexden in Colchester and Mr Neale was pursuing his latest venture, running an advertising agency in Witham.

However, it was not to last. Two years later, Mr Neale was in the dock again this time accused of conspiring to handle 63 stolen paintings worth £2 million.

He was cleared after a trial in 1994.

But the following year, in April, Mr Neale was jailed for 18 months for his part in a sophisticated fraud.

The court heard that Mr Neale had been involved in a serious conspiracy to defraud banks and credit companies using stolen credit cards.

The Neales split in 1996 after 20 years of marriage.

Colchester County Court granted Mrs Neale a decree nisi on the grounds of two years separation and consent.

Mr Neale is believed to be in Hong Kong. It is understood he has not been informed of his ex-wife's death.

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