Title: Waddingham Resident Stands Trial for Alleged Killing of Stepfather Amidst Property Dispute in Snitterby
Dr Jason Waite, a 54-year-old resident of Waddingham, finds himself on trial at Lincoln Crown Court, standing accused of taking the life of his 87-year-old stepfather, Peter Skilton. The deadly incident took place as a result of alleged disagreements over a lucrative Snitterby estate. The courtroom heard claims of animosity between Dr Waite and Mr Skilton, often surrounding an enduring legal feud over an estate passed down by Dr Waite’s dececeased mother, Mrs Eileen Skilton.
The regrettable incident occurring on 17th December was testified by Anthony and Pamela Tootell, recent leaseholders of the disputed Ivy House cottage. The prosecution suggested that Dr Waite physically forced Mr Skilton, leading to a fall and eventually a fatal cranial injury. Nonetheless, during a cross-examination, Mrs Tootell considered the likelihood of Mr Skilton becoming unsteady on an irregular driveway surface during the event.
The Tootells provided their account of the rapid altercation, noting that Dr Waite did not make any hostile threats at that moment. The defence referred to the possibility of Mr Skilton losing his stability as he was forced backward, a notion that Mrs Tootell acknowledged as an alternate scenario of the events.
Denying accusations of both murder and manslaughter, Dr Waite, a Church Lane local, continues to contest the charges in an ongoing trial.
This article has been developed using previous reporting available through www.bbc.com, by The Lincoln Post.
