Former Bookie Smothered in Bed: Wife and Daughter Sentenced to Life

The wife and daughter of a retired bookmaker, Don Banfield, have been found guilty of smothering the man to death for his insurance money. 

Former tax inspector Shirley Banfield, 64, and her daughter Lynette, 40, admitted to two charges of conspiracy to defraud and charges of forgery as well as the perverting of course of justice, though they denied murdering Banfield 11 years ago. 

The pair pocketed more than £120,000, some of which went into the purchase of their Canterbury, England home.   

Banfield had suspected at the time his wife and daughter were out to kill him. 

Shirley collapsed in the dock as the jury returned guilty verdicts against her and Lynette by a majority of 10 to 1, after more than 14 hours of deliberation.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com