Family feud erupts after elderly man’s $900k Golden Casket win

A 93-year-old man who gave $300,000 to his daughter following a lottery win sought legal action to recover the funds after their relationship completely broke down.

William John Bampton, 93, won $986,212 on the Golden Casket lottery in March 2018.

A nonagenarian has failed to recover the spoils of a lottery win, that he gifted to his daughter, after their relationship broke down.

William John Bampton, 93, won $986,212 on the Golden Casket lottery in March 2018 and in August of that year gave his daughter Suzanne Elaine Vourlides $300,000.

Three years passed without issue but in September 2021, and with the relationship with his daughter having completely broken down Mr Bampton launched court action against Mrs Vourlides seeking to recover $300,000.

The self-funded retiree alleged there had been an argument with his daughter in early August 2018 and as a consequence he felt overwhelmed and considered that he had no alternative but to give in to what he claimed were his daughter’s demands for $300,000, the District Court heard.

This was in the context of his advanced age and medical conditions.

Mrs Vourlides’ defended the case arguing her father gifted her the money at his own instigation and in the exercise of his own free will.

Late last year Judge Suzanne Sheridan found in Mrs Vourlides favour and that she hadn’t acted with undue influence and unconscionability.

Mr Brampton appealed the decision on seven grounds including Judge Sheridan erred in failing to accept his version of what was said and done during the argument, given what he claimed was the absence of any contradictory evidence.

In a split decision the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

“In the present case, the appellant has failed to persuade me that this is an appropriate case to interfere with the relevant findings made by the primary judge,” Justice John Bond said in a decision on Friday.

“There is not the slightest suggestion that the judge has misused her advantage.”

Justice Lincoln Crowley agreed.

Dissenting from the majority Justice Graeme Crow found the appeal ought to be allowed and judgement entered for Mr Bampton.