A court has imposed a restraining order on a daughter after her inheritance was placed into a family trust sparking tension in the family.
Genevieve Oriel has been restricted from seeing her elderly mother, Hilda Maunsell, for a period of five years after a court ruled her behaviour had been “persistent, intentional, and caused frustration”, harrassing her mother during incidents between February 2020 and March 2021
The dispute arose after the sale of the family home in Wiltshire for £3.325 million. Oriel’s share of the sale was placed into a family trust; an arrangement which followed concerns within the family of Oriel’s connection to and spending on a spiritual mentor named Ton Samara.
Oriel’s behaviour, driven by health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and vertigo argued her representation, saw her confront her mother on numerous occasions on uninvited visits, and at locations Maunsell was known to frequent; and bombard her with phone calls and emails. The result of which was to leave Maunsell ‘distressed and seeking refuge with neighbours’ the court was told.
In Salisbury Magistrates’ Court Oriel acknowleged her berhaviour and accepted the restraining order in exchnage for criminal charges to be dropped.
Maunsell said despite the order, she hoped for a reconciliation with her daughter: “She doesn’t want a permanent estrangement,” the prosecutor said. “She hopes they can eventually resume contact—perhaps by phone or email—and even meet again in person.”
Oriel’s representation said the legal system should not criminalize familial missteps, particularly those rooted in emotional distress, adding Oriel was eager to mend the fractured relationship with her mother.
“The harassment laws are not designed to punish strained family dynamics.”
Magistrate Annie Mihell, chairing the bench, confirmed the restraining order, stating
“This is to ensure the protection of Hilda Maunsell for the next five years. Ms. Oriel must not visit her mother’s residence during this time.”
