A TELEVISION producer won a payout of more than £700,000 after her life was "ruined" by contractors who were called in to refurbish her mansion flat, writes Roseena Parveen.

The Court of Appeal heard how Kathleen Saigol, who lives in Oxfordshire with her two sons, was in a "comfortable situation" with £100,000 in savings, £200,000 in investments and a £50,000 annual income.

But a 12-year legal battle with contractors has left her bankrupt, ruined her health, disrupted her family life and meant the loss of her home, the court heard yesterday.

Now, 12 years on, the Court of Appeal has awarded her £713,644 damages against builders Cosmur Construction and managing agents Congreve Horner and Co.

Story date: Thursday 24 February

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