Mortgage broker paid wife’s Life insurance days before killing her, court hears

A shocking case unfolded in a Cambridgeshire court as details emerged of a mortgage broker who allegedly killed his wife in a bid to claim her Life insurance payout. Sian Hammond was found dead at her home in Histon on 30 October, with her husband, Robert Hammond, facing charges of murder.

The court heard that Mr. Hammond, 47, was drowning in a sea of debt amounting to approximately £300,000. In a desperate attempt to alleviate his financial woes, he reportedly paid off his wife’s Legal and General Life insurance policy just days before her untimely death. The policy was valued at £450,000 and would have provided a substantial sum to Mr. Hammond in the event of his wife’s passing.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC painted a grim picture of Mr. Hammond’s financial situation, describing it as a “surging mountain of debt and financial pressures.” The court was told that on the night of the incident, Mr. Hammond called emergency services claiming to have found his wife unresponsive on their bed. However, suspicions arose when a paramedic noted that no CPR had been performed despite Mr. Hammond’s claims.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mrs. Hammond had been strangled and had sustained other injuries, including to her vagina. Additionally, evidence from Mr. Hammond’s wrist fitness device indicated a spike in his heart rate around the time of the incident, suggesting he may have been engaged in physical activity contradicting his alibi of watching television.

Further incriminating evidence came to light when it was revealed that Mr. Hammond had spoken to a debt collector on the day of his wife’s death, mentioning the Life insurance payout he expected to receive. Despite the couple being in the process of divorcing, Mr. Hammond allegedly expressed concern for his wife as the mother of his children.

The prosecutor emphasized that the couple, who had two teenage children, were “home alone” that weekend, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Hammond’s death. Mr. Hammond denies the charges of murder, maintaining his innocence in the face of mounting evidence against him.

As the trial unfolds, the tragic story of Sian Hammond’s death serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of financial desperation and greed. The court will continue to examine the evidence and testimonies in the pursuit of justice for the victim and her family.