A woman collapsed in court after a judge ruled that her ex-boyfriend had not promised to marry her and she did not have a claim for a half-share of his business. After Judge Alan Johns QC ruled against Gillian Turner, fell onto the desk in front of her and was given first aid treatment from court staff.

The former receptionist had sued her former partner, Michael Durant, claiming he reneged on promises to marry her and to cut her into his property empire.

She claimed the 61-year-old's business, Lodge House Ltd, was "probably worth millions" when he promised her a 50 per cent stake in the kitchen of their £1.1 million Hertfordshire home.

But the judge said Miss Turner "clearly did not trust" her ex-partner and it was "hard to believe" that she would not have got his promise in writing.

There was a "complete absence" of documents to back up her argument and it was "inherently improbable" that he made the promise, the judge said.

After Turner collapsed at Central London County Court, the case was adjourned while she received medical attention outside the courtroom.

She did not return to court for the discussion of costs, but told her barristers she was happy for them to proceed without her.