Dunfermline man killed his mum and still controls her estate

Ross Taggart was given a life sentence with a minimum jail term of 18 years after he attacked and strangled his mother, Carol, and hid her body underneath a caravan just a few days before Christmas 2014.

He remains in charge of her estate as the executor of her will, despite being found guilty of brutally killing her, but a Scottish Government minister has pledged a law change to "make it more straightforward to remove a murderer from the role of executor".

The bizarre legal quirk meant that, until Carol's house at Hill of St Margaret was sold in August 2020, family members were forced to ask Taggart for permission to gain access to the property to recover precious photos and mementoes.

Carol Taggart was murdered by her son, Ross, in December 2014. (Image: Newsquest)

Her daughter, Lorraine Taggart Bristow, and Lorraine's husband Stephen have tirelessly campaigned for a change in the law – more than 62,000 people have signed a petition – and Siobhian Brown, the Scottish Government minister for victims and community safety, said she wants to make that happen.

READ MORE: Mum's horrific murder by her son to feature in Netflix show

Bill Kidd MSP raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament, during an evidence hearing of the proposed Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill at the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee.

He said "dramatic action" was needed and added: "Minister, it seems a bit odd to me that an unlawful killer would be allowed to be the executor of their victim’s estate.

"However, apparently, that is a circumstance that pertains."

He said that the current proposals do not go far enough and eminent professors of law, legal professionals and law firms have all supported an amendment to the bill to "clarify that the law does not permit an unlawful killer to be an executor of their victim’s estate".

Ms Brown responded: "I am very willing to work with the committee on the issue.

"I am committed to introducing reform that would prevent a person who has been convicted of murder from being an executor of their victim’s estate, and my officials and I will explore what can be done in the context of the bill to ensure that that happens.

"As the committee is aware, the Scottish Law Commission did not produce recommendations on the matter, so the bill as introduced does not mention it.

"There was consensus on the matter when the Scottish Government consulted on it in 2019, which is why we are committed to introducing reform at the next legislative opportunity. The existing law is not clear."

Carol Taggart's body was hidden under this caravan at Pettycur Bay, near Kinghorn. (Image: Police Scotland)

The minister said it was important that "whatever is taken forward is capable of working in practice" but added: "I reiterate my commitment to introducing reforms that would prevent a person who has been convicted of murder from being an executor of their victim’s estate."

That will give some hope to Carol's family who have been campaigning for a change in the law since Taggart was sentenced in November 2015, and who spoke out about the horrific murder on a Channel 5 show in 2021.

She ran a successful childminding business from Hill of St Margaret until the 54-year-old was beaten and then strangled to death after an argument with her son.

Her body was hidden underneath a caravan she owned at Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn, while Taggart, who was 31 at the time, "embarked on a calculated course of deceit" by reporting her as missing and repeatedly lying to family, friends and the police.

As appeals were made and searches conducted to try and find her, he played along while knowing she was dead and went on a spending spree with her money while also trying to sell Carol's jewellery.

As he was sentenced, Judge Lord Uist told Taggart: “How you have lived with your conscience since you murdered your mother, I do not know.”

You can sign the petition here.