Fridge camera catches man putting laxatives in sister's milk in inheritance row

17 October 2023 , 20:42

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Robert McCabe admitted to adding laxatives to his sister's milk during a bitter sibling row over house inheritance (Image: MEN)

A man put laxatives in his sister’s milk during a bitter row between the siblings over the inheritance of their family home, but was caught red handed when his sister set up a camera near the fridge.

It showed Robert McCabe, 69, holding a “white piece of paper” over the milk and “tipping something” into it. He was arrested and appeared in court where his sister spoke of the impact of his actions. Sharon McCabe said: "I was shocked and saddened that he could be so malicious and vindictive towards me."

Minshull Street Crown Court heard the defendant lived at the house in Heywood with Sharon and brother Desmond. Their mother earlier rented the home from the council, according to Daniel Lister, prosecuting. When she died, the three siblings continued to live there. McCabe later became the owner and brother, Dennis, who lived in Australia, returned home and “funded the mortgage”, Mr Lister said, but it was the defendant's name on the paperwork. In his will, Dennis said he wanted Sharon's son to get the house which led to a row between the siblings.

McCabe has no previous convictions (MEN)

The Manchester Evening News reported that McCabe put laxatives in his sister's milk on two or three occasions over a two-week period. Sharon, who has pancreatitis, experienced stomach pains in April 2020 and was hospitalised. After being discharged, she noticed her four pint bottle of milk smelt of chemicals. Both brothers were interviewed and Robert admitted administering the substance.

Mr Lister told the court: "She reported her concerns to her son who informed the police. Then on April 21, 2020, the victim and her son set up a camera in the kitchen, which covered half of anyone who was standing by the fridge. This showed Robert and Desmond looking at the milk and shaking it. The footage also captured this defendant holding a piece of white paper over an open bottle of milk and tipping something into the milk. We now know that was a laxative."

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In a statement, Sharon said: "I was shocked and saddened that he could be so malicious and vindictive towards me. I've been through hell over the last three-and-a-half years thinking about what he did to me. I genuinely believe that he will do anything to get me to leave my family home of 41 years, and I no longer have contact with my siblings. I feel like I am being punished by them."

McCabe has no previous convictions. Defending, barrister Rachel Faux said he expressed remorse towards his sister, agreeing with the judge it was a case of 'sibling squabbling'. "He wants to put matters behind him as quickly as he can and move forward with his life," Ms Faux added.

Sentencing, Judge Maurice Greene said McCabe was charged with an offence rarely seen before the courts. "This involved sibling rivalry," he said. "The sort of sibling rivalry a man of your age shouldn't be involved in.” He added: “There are ways to deal with things, legal ways to deal with things, and you may not always get your own way. "What you did was inexcusable, juvenile behaviour, and it was not on another juvenile - you knew your sister had health problems."

McCabe pleaded guilty to maliciously administering a noxious thing to annoy, injure or aggrieve, under the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861. He was made the subject of an 18-month community order and was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

Amy Walker