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Lawyer who killed his wife is released after just two years - and inherits £950,000 from her estate
Last updated at 22:37pm on 08.04.08A wealthy lawyer who killed his wife after she had an affair is set to inherit nearly £1million from her will after being freed from jail.
Christopher Lumsden, 54, was said to have "snapped" after his wife Alison, 53, announced she was leaving him for a family friend.
He attacked her at their £1.4million mansion, slashing her on the face and neck with a knife so badly a pathologist could not count the number of wounds she had suffered.
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Christopher Lumsden and his wife, Alison, who he killed after she had an affair
Lumsden, a partner at the international law firm Pinsent Masons, was cleared of murder but jailed for five years for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
The jury heard that the father-of-two was suffering from a "depressive condition" at the time of the attack after being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.
He was released on licence last September after serving around 18 months of his sentence and is now in line to receive £1million from her will, made five years before her death.
By law, a person convicted of manslaughter cannot inherit money from his victim.
But the courts can make an exception if the killer suffered from a mental disorder at the time of the crime.
Mrs Lumsden's relatives are said to be "devastated" by his apparently lenient punishment but were too upset to comment.
Campaigners at Support After Murder and Manslaughter, a charity for relatives of those who have been killed, condemned the inheritance.
Rose Dixon, the group's national development officer, said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that someone who has killed their wife, partner or lover is able to benefit from their will.
"We see many, many families who are devastated by this issue every year and find it completely unjust.
"It is astonishing that someone who commits a crime like this can go on to benefit.
"We are lobbying the Home Office for a change in legislation because it is simply unfair."
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Scene: The family home was sold for £1.4million, which Lumsden is set to inherit
Lumsden led a seemingly happy life amid the dinner parties, tennis clubs and bridge evenings of the Cheshire set in the exclusive suburb of Bowdon, near Altrincham.
But his wife of 24 years, a former Sotheby's auctioneer, was having an affair with married businessman Roger Flint, 58.
In March 2005, she told her husband and asked for a divorce.
But, after spending several days putting his affairs in order, he attacked her when she returned home after spending the evening with her lover.
Despite the horrific attack, his wife's family stuck by him for the sake of their children, Thomas 22, and Kate, 20.
It later emerged that Mrs Lumsden, 53, left her husband a £950,000 legacy as part of her estate which also included the family's home.
The mansion was sold last November to Warrington-based Greenlink Estates for £1.4million.
Lumsden began a legal battle last year to get the money from the will and sale of the house.
The former solicitor, who was banned from practising law for life, will remain on licence until March 2010. He can be instantly recalled to prison if he commits any other offence.
Manchester-based solicitors Lomax Geddes and Co, which represents the family, refused to comment.
Reader views (8)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
RW of Dallas, what on earth are you on about? Are you saying that just because she had an affair and asked for a divorce she is not a victim? Asking your husband for a divorce does not generally give him the right to kill you ... and whether he was bonkers or not it was clearly premeditated. As the article says, he spent several days "putting his estate in order".
- Louise, Essex
All is well, She is not an innocent victim here.
- Rw, Dallas, USA
Mad Moo Labour - "Tough on the victims of crime, tough for the victims of crime".
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Another ludicrous, irrelevant New Labour post. Did you read the article Fraser? It says - By law, a person convicted of manslaughter cannot inherit money from his victim. But the courts can make an exception if the killer suffered from a mental disorder at the time of the crime.
That's what we do in the UK, Parliament passes the laws and the courts apply it.
- Chris, London
I guess we could all put clauses in our wills that unconditionally disinherit our loved ones should they unlawfully kill us?
- Nigel, London
It's a farce. If he wasn't a lawyer he'd be doing life.
- Paul, London
This is insane.......
no one should be rewarded for murder no matter what the story.
no matter what the crime no one should get away with murder.
What is the world coming to? it sounds like he bought the jury!
- I'M So In Shock !, Guam
Justice under New Labour: Just "Two Years jail time" served for the violent manslaughter of a wife!
No doubt as a wealthy lawyer he was able to afford the best legal council to organize such a lenient jail term.
It would appear that "Crime Does Pay" under New Labour! Is it any wonder that serious crime is currently escalating in Britain when such pathetic sentences are given?
So the stark reality of the matter is that the life of Mrs Alison Lumsden was only "worth" a 2 year jail term being served yet her violent "killer" is now set to inherit £1million? Where's the justice in that?
Warning: All wives with insurance policies beware!
- Fraser, Telford Park
