Racehorse trainer jail term cut
Vicky Haigh
A FORMER Doncaster racehorse trainer who “coached” her daughter to make false sex claims against her ex-husband has had her prison sentence slashed by top judges.
Victoria Haigh, 42, was jailed for three years at Doncaster Crown Court in December after she was found guilty of breaching a non-molestation order.
The order was imposed after Haigh falsely accused former partner, David Tune, of being a paedophile and “coached” her daughter to make similarly bogus claims against him.
Three senior judges, sitting at London’s Court of Appeal, ruled her jail term “manifestly excessive” and cut it to two years and three months, of which she will serve half behind bars.
Mr Justice Sweeney told the court that Haigh, of Denby Avenue, Worksop, sparked a five-year custody battle for the girl after her split from Mr Tune in 2005.
As part of those proceedings she made false allegations against him on the internet, which led to the girl being unnecessarily examined by social services and removed from her father although he had done nothing wrong.
Top family judge, Sir Nicholas Wall, took the unprecedented step of allowing details of the family proceedings to be published last year, so Mr Tune could clear his name.
A court order preventing Haigh from contacting the girl without a social worker present was then placed on Haigh at the behest of Doncaster Council in order to give Mr Tune and the girl a break from the endless stress of litigation.
Sally Donaldson, for Haigh, argued she was punished too harshly considering there was no violence and no attempt at abduction. Haigh, who watched the July 4 appeal on a video link, smiled as judges allowed her appeal.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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