Gillian Turner collapsed onto a desk and needed first-aid from court staff after Judge Alan Johns QC ruled against her in a claim against her former partner, Michael Durant

A devastated mother dramatically passed out in court after losing a legal battle for a half share of her property tycoon ex-boyfriend's business.

Shocked Gillian Turner collapsed onto a desk and needed first-aid from court staff after Judge Alan Johns QC ruled against her.

The former receptionist had sued her ex, Michael Durant, 61, claiming he reneged on promises to marry her and cut her into his property empire.

She claimed his business - Lodge House Ltd - was worth a fortune when he promised her a 50% stake during a conversation at their £1.1 million Hertfordshire home.

But the judge said Miss Turner 'clearly did not trust' her ex and it was 'hard to believe' that she wouldn't have got his promise in writing.

There was a 'complete absence' of a single document to back her up and it was 'inherently improbable' that he made the promise, the judge found.

Mr Durant, a former bricklayer, and Miss Turner, were in a 'stormy relationship' from the late-1980s to 2014, Central London County Court heard.

They had a son together and, in 2004, moved from Enfield to Cuffley, Hertfordshire, because of the area's 'better schools'.

Miss Turner claimed his business was by then probably worth millions, but told the judge that their relationship was 'always on the rocks'.

Her ex-boyfriend Michael Durant insists he did not promise her a slice of his property firm

She said she put her £200,000 life savings into buying their new home and asked him to match that.

But Mr Durant told her he needed cash to grow his business and instead promised to give her half his company, she claimed.

'He was saying how this was a new start for us and how much he loved me. He also said we are going to get married.

'I always lived in hope that we would stay together. I thought it was forever,' she added.

'I'm not sure as to the company's value, but he said things were doing very well, he had lots of rental property, he was buying lots of land, and building seven bungalows, and they were going to sell for £250,000 each.'

But Mr Durant denied that there had 'been any such conversation' or that he would ever have given away half of his company.

The legal wrangle centred on a home the former couple bought together in Hertfordshire

Judge Johns said it was 'surprising' that there was a 'complete absence' of any documents to back up Miss Turner's claim.

'That there is no trace of the agreement in documents...is particularly striking in circumstances where Miss Turner clearly did not trust Mr Durant,' he added.

'It is hard to believe, with that lack of trust, that she would have simply rested on his word to transfer the business without getting anything in writing'.

Judge Alan Johns QC said there was a 'complete absence' of documents to back up Miss Turner's claim

Ruling that 'no such promise was made,' he added that there was 'no imbalance' between the couple, as Mr Durant would be paying the £250,000 mortgage.

'Driven and ambitious' Mr Durant treated his business as his 'top priority' and it was 'most unlikely he would agree to part with half of it'.

Describing his account as 'reliable', the judge added: 'I reject Miss Turner's evidence that Mr Durant promised marriage.'

Miss Turner was ordered to pay the legal costs of the case, which will run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Durant earlier told the judge he had forked out about £180,000 paying the mortgage on their home.

He said he was 'the sole breadwinner' and he was 'quite sure' that the crucial conversation 'never took place.'