A burger van chef inherited a £5 million fortune from a businessman who treated him like a son; the millionaire's sister challenged his will

A burger van chef inherited a £5 million fortune from a businessman who treated him like a son, following a High Court battle with the millionaire's estranged sister over his will. Sam Jones secured the inheritance from his late friend David Turner, who died aged 71 in 2017. Despite the life-changing payout, Jones continued working at his burger van in Chertsey, Surrey. The legal dispute centred on Turner's missing original will, with his sister Linda Cano challenging its validity in an attempt to inherit his estate. However, the High Court ruled in Jones's favour, allowing him to retain the fortune, which included a family farm and a share in valuable land near the M25 motorway.Why did the millionaire consider the burger van chef part of his familyAccording to the Sun, Jones and Turner first became friends in 2000 after meeting at a snack bar in Chertsey. Turner, who operated a skip hire business and a family pig farm called Woodside Farm, gradually developed a close relationship with Jones. Their friendship grew through shared interests, including guitars and classic cars, and Turner eventually came to regard him as a member of his family.During the High Court proceedings, Jones's barrister, Rose Fetherstonhaugh, explained the nature of their relationship. She told the hearing: "Mr Turner, who had no children of his own, treated Mr Jones like a son and was very close to his family." She also said that Jones viewed Turner as a father figure, while the businessman had become a grandfather figure to Jones's children. According to the barrister, Jones also cared for Turner during the final months of his life, when his illness had become debilitating.Why did Linda Cano challenge Turner's missing 2013 will in the High CourtTurner's 2013 will became the subject of a legal challenge after his death because the original document could not be found. His estranged sister, Linda Cano, who lived in Spain, questioned whether the will should be accepted without the original testament. Her legal representatives argued that there was no proof Turner had not destroyed the document after changing his mind about who should inherit his estate.Cano sought to have the 2013 will declared invalid, which would have allowed her to inherit under the laws of intestacy. She also told the court that her brother had a history of making and changing his will. However, she accepted that she had had little contact with Turner since 2008. The dispute also involved the brothers and sisters' reportedly strained relationship, with the court hearing that Turner had described his sister in strongly negative terms and had excluded her from his will.Judge rules in the legal battle over the millionaire's missing willMaster Matthew Marsh ruled against Cano and upheld the 2013 will, allowing Jones to inherit Turner's fortune. The judge found that her argument about Turner potentially destroying the original will was not supported by the evidence presented during the proceedings. The court also heard evidence about Jones's regular visits to the farm and his involvement in caring for Turner as his health deteriorated.In his ruling, Master Marsh stated: "There is clear, unchallenged evidence that Mr Jones was a daily visitor to the farm." He also noted that Jones and other people had helped care for Turner during his final illness. The judge added: "There is no evidence that Mr Turner attempted to make a new will." The decision meant that the 2013 testament remained effective and Jones retained his right to inherit the estate.What properties and assets were included in Turner's £5 million inheritanceThe inheritance included Woodside Farm in Chertsey, Surrey, as well as half a share in a valuable plot of land close to the M25 motorway. Turner had operated the farm alongside his skip hire business. The estate also included other bequests to friends, including musical instruments. A donation of £5,000 was left to the British Polio Fellowship, reflecting Turner's experience of having suffered from polio as a child.Despite receiving the fortune, Jones continued to be associated with his burger van business in Chertsey town centre. The Sun reported that the van, named Saffron's Right Food, displayed the slogan "Keeping up with the Joneses" and continued serving customers. Jones was also seen beside the stall while staff worked. The report noted that he maintained a relatively low profile following the court ruling, appearing in casual clothing while the burger van continued operating.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.