Woman collapses after losing lawsuit against ex

A woman collapsed in shock at court yesterday after a judge ruled that her ex-lover, whom she said was “probably worth millions”, had not promised to marry her and she did not have a claim for a half-share of his business.

Gillian Turner claimed Michael Durant’s property business was worth a fortune when he promised her a 50 per cent stake at their £1.1million Hertfordshire home, Central London County Court heard. But Judge Alan Johns QC said it was “hard to believe” she did not get his promise in writing and there was a “complete absence” of documents to back her up.