WA: Hancock distressed at news of Rose affair, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2001
WA: Hancock distressed at news of Rose affair, court told

The West Australian coroner's court has today been told how wheelchair-bound LANG HANCOCK
became distressed when he learned his wife, ROSE, was having an affair with WILLIE PORTEOUS.

The HANCOCKS' then housekeeper HEIDI BIDDLE told the court Mr HANCOCK had asked her
whether his wife was having an affair with Mr PORTEOUS.

Ms BIDDLE said that, when she told him this was the case, the mining magnate clutched
his chest and said: I feel betrayed. They can't even wait until I die.

Yesterday, Ms BIDDLE told the court Mrs PORTEOUS had said Mr HANCOCK was taking too long to die.

WA Coroner ALASTAIR HOPE is hearing evidence into the death of the 82-year-old mining
magnate in March 1992.

Lawyers for Mr HANCOCK's daughter GINA RINEHART will argue that Mrs PORTEOUS had wilfully
murdered her late husband.

They have foreshadowed that adverse findings could be made against four other people,
including Mr PORTEOUS.

AAP RTV sd/mjm

KEYWORD: HANCOCK (PERTH)

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