Devious Annette Russill disguised herself as an elderly Southend spinster in a plot to fiddle a £1.8 million will, a court heard.

She put on a wig and clothes to pretend she was 87-year-old Annie Kay - who later died in March 1997 - so she could rewrite her will.

Russill, 64, claimed she was recruited for the scam by daughter Annette Spillman and son-in-law David Spillman.

The two women have admitted conspiracy to defraud the beneficiaries of Annie Kay's will but David Spillman has denied taking part in the scheme.

The 44-year-old unemployed trucker is now estranged from his wife, who worked as a home help, said Martyn Levett, prosecuting at Basildon Crown Court.

He told how the trio had tried to trick lawyers and bankers by redrafting Miss Kay's will and fraudulently drawing cash from her account.

Russill also forged Miss Kay's signature on the bogus will and cheques, Mr Levett told a jury.

He added: "These three people put their heads together to commit a crime whereby they decided to obtain some money from the old lady.

"The idea was to get their hands on Annie Kay's money after she died. However, the problem was Miss Kay made a will.

"She had left all her estate, apart from a couple of small legacies, to charities.

"There was a lot at stake and after Miss Kay died it was calculated her will was worth a staggering £1.8 million."

Mr Levett went on: "In order to get their hands on the money the Spillmans and Russill had to follow a plan and each of the three played a part.

"They followed this agreed plan whereby they were going to deceive the will maker, a firm of solicitors, and even a barrister."

Miss Kay had lived with her companion Patrick Wedd in Dawlish Drive, Leigh, before the pair of them were persuaded to move to the home of home help Annette Spillman, 46, and her husband in Guildford Road, Southend.

Mr Wedd, who had no surviving relatives, died at the Spillmans' home in January 1997 aged 83.

He left his estate, which amounted to £170,000, to Miss Kay.

Miss Kay died at the Spillman's home in March 1997.

The fraud came to light when suspicious solicitors contacted the police.

Later Russill, who lived at Leicester Avenue, Rochford, allegedly told officers she had seen David Spillman practising Miss Kay's signature.

As she became more involved with the conspiracy Russill herself admitted she tried to forge Miss Kay's signature, which she used on the bogus will.

Russill also used the signature to forge cheques of up to £5,000, the court heard. She allegedly handed over cash to David Spillman, who now lives at St Andrew's Road, Shoebury.

Mr Levett told the jury: "We know a conspiracy did exist because the two women have admitted their part. The question now is, was David Spillman in it?"

The trial, expected to last four weeks, continues.

Home help - Annette Spillman admits plotting to defraud Annie Kay

(Right) - David Spillman, who denies involvement in the fraud

Annette Russill, who disguised herself with a wig to make alterations to rich spinster Annie Kay's will.

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