Peter Littler, 61, was entrusted with a profound responsibility: executing the will of his father-in-law, Joseph Webster. The estate, valued at £166,000, was meant to provide comfort and security for Joseph’s children and grandchildren, a final act of love from a man nearing the end of his life.
But Littler betrayed that trust in a calculated and devastating manner. Instead of distributing the inheritance, he diverted the funds – the proceeds from the sale of Joseph’s house – directly into his own struggling account, leaving the rightful beneficiaries in the dark and facing mounting financial hardship.
The situation was further complicated by a recent reconciliation between Littler’s wife, Karen, and her estranged father. Karen had provided devoted end-of-life care for Joseph, a period of healing and forgiveness that culminated in a changed will, naming Littler as executor just weeks before Joseph’s death.
This appointment replaced Joseph’s other son-in-law, Gary Hilton. When the house sold in May 2023, the funds were intended for the estate’s solicitor, but Littler intercepted them, ignoring repeated requests for their transfer and plunging the family into a desperate search for answers.
Adding a layer of cruelty, Littler attempted to deflect blame, suggesting Karen should pursue a share of a property in Spain belonging to her sister. This was a calculated attempt, the court found, to publicly discredit his wife and obscure his own fraudulent actions.
The deception ultimately unraveled, leading to Littler’s arrest and a guilty plea at Preston Crown Court. He was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, a consequence Judge Michael Maher described as necessary given the “manifest abuse of trust.”
The judge detailed Littler’s “weak” financial position at the time of the fraud, revealing a recent loan application and a significant overdraft. He condemned Littler’s “shameless” cheating of the six beneficiaries, highlighting the profound impact on their lives.
The court learned of beneficiaries facing immense personal challenges – one battling Multiple Sclerosis, another with a child undergoing leukemia treatment – and Littler’s callous disregard for their suffering. He knowingly withheld funds that could have eased their burdens, a decision the judge labeled “mean and shabby.”
Karen Littler, now separated from her husband, delivered a heartbreaking victim impact statement. She spoke of the “physical, emotional, and financial devastation” caused by his actions, and vehemently refuted his claim that she had reconciled with her father for financial gain.
“I returned to receive my father’s apology and I accepted it and nursed him to his death,” she stated, her voice filled with pain. “He has zero remorse for the irreversible damage he has caused my whole family. My father would be heartbroken.”
Judge Maher was scathing in his assessment of Littler’s attempt to vilify Karen, stating there was “no substance” to the claims and that they were a deliberate attempt to drag her down with him. He acknowledged the “utter betrayal” felt by all six beneficiaries.
Detective Sergeant John Whittle of Skelmersdale CID praised the meticulous investigation led by former Detective Constable Graham Leyland, which ultimately forced Littler to confront the consequences of his actions and brought justice to the victims. The case stands as a stark warning about the devastating impact of greed and betrayal.
