A Terminally Ill Man’s Hope for Reunion Amid a Dark Past
A terminally ill man is hoping to beat cancer so he can reunite with his wife—even though she plotted to have him shot, poisoned, and blown up on their wedding anniversary.
Ray Weatherall’s wife, Hayley, 38, schemed with her secret lover—who was also his best friend of 20 years—to kill her devoted husband in a wild series of plots, all of which he survived. Powell’s daughter, Heather, was also involved.
She and Glenn Pollard were both jailed for life after he endured being shot in the face, a swimming pool heater explosion, and a plan to end his life with sleeping pills and insulin.
The father of seven, who has terminal brain cancer, still has the bullet scar and second-degree burns to remind him of the incidents.
More than five years after she was imprisoned, Mr. Weatherall says he is ‘hanging on’ until Hayley is released in nine years time and has ‘totally forgiven’ her.
Despite his condition, he still takes 200-mile trips every month to see her in HMP Bronzefield, in Ashford, Surrey—and is looking forward to throwing a ‘big party’ when she is finally out.
‘My aim is to survive long enough so Hayley can be released from prison and she can come back home,’ he told the Mirror. ‘This house is as much hers as it is mine. I can’t wait to have her back. I should’ve been dead years ago.’
Pictured: Mr Weatherall in 2018
‘It’s a miracle I am here. My aim is to see her walk through that door. I will stay alive long enough for that. People say I’m mad but I don’t care. I visit her each month and we kiss and hug and it is lovely.’
‘Hayley was brainwashed. She was a fool. She has always been easily led astray. And she’s serving a life sentence for that stupidity. But I blame my old friend Glenn entirely.’
Mr. Weatherall says he doesn’t ever want to see his ex-best friend again and he won’t be invited to Hayley’s release party.
He and Pollard had been pals for more than 20 years and went shooting together.
A family friend told the Mirror that he wanted to give her perfume, but as liquids were not allowed in the prison, he chose a Boyzone CD.
Despite a judge calling Mrs. Weatherall ‘cold and calculated’ and ‘impatient’ for her husband to die, her husband claimed she was ‘made out to be worse than she is’.
Ray had been told he had months to live when Heather, who goes by the name Arthur, shot him in the face like a ‘sniper’ after a string of failed attempts on his life.
Pictured: Together before she was jailed
They included a swimming pool heater explosion which left him with second-degree burns, drowning him while fishing, and poisoning him with insulin.
Mr. Weatherall remained unaware that his wife and his best friend of 20 years were trying to kill him after they planned a new life together.
At their trial, Maidstone Crown Court was told the non-fatal shooting triggered a long and intricate Kent Police investigation, which uncovered a series of other unsuccessful attempts on the man’s life, planned before and after the shooting.
Shortly after they were jailed, Mr. Weatherall told Good Morning Britain that Glenn had been the main instigator of the plot, and that his wife was ‘dragged into it’.
He expressed his disgust for Glenn, indicating that he bore much of the blame for the convoluted schemes.
‘Up until that point, we never had any issues whatsoever. I still don’t understand how she got involved in it all.’
Their schemes began unraveling in January after Ray’s niece Emma Worsfold tipped off police that they were trying to kill Ray, having learned of the affair.
Mr Weatherall remained ignorant of the deadly plots against him.
Kent Police raided their homes and quickly recovered the bolt-action rifle that was used to shoot him.
Electrical devices were analyzed and hundreds of messages were discovered between Glenn and Heather, outlining their plans.
The jury was also informed about other events that threatened Mr. Weatherall’s life, which were initially dismissed as accidents.
He suffered injuries from a burner explosion, was set up to drown during a fishing trip with Pollard, and faced suspected poisoning incidents.
Glenn Pollard was sentenced to life with a minimum of 17 years while Hayley and Heather received life sentences with a minimum of 15 years.
Heather was observed laughing in the dock with her father before the verdict was delivered.
The court learned that treacherous Pollard had a gun license and reportedly ‘brainwashed’ Heather to carry out the shooting.
Mr. Weatherall was shot in the face at Sandwich Marina in Kent but survived after the bullet struck his right cheekbone.
Ray was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2015 and, by the following year, was given just 18 months to live on top of daily insulin injections for his diabetes.
Discussion with Experts
In light of this harrowing story, we spoke with leading neuroscientist Dr. Emily Roach and clinical psychologist Dr. Marcus Deepwood for their insights on the psychological impacts of such extreme betrayal and traumatic events.
Dr. Emily Roach: “Survivors of such traumatic experiences often experience heightened stress responses. Ray’s resilience is remarkable, yet it raises questions about the psychological toll this might take on him long-term.”
Dr. Marcus Deepwood: “Forgiveness can be a powerful tool for healing, but it’s crucial to understand the mechanisms behind it. His sentiment towards Hayley might also suggest unresolved emotional conflict.”
Moderator: “How crucial do you think support systems are for individuals like Mr. Weatherall during severe health crises?”
Dr. Emily Roach: “Support networks can significantly enhance coping mechanisms, especially when dealing with both physical ailments and emotional upheaval.”
Dr. Marcus Deepwood: “Absolutely. Emotional support is vital, and Mr. Weatherall’s relationships, even the complicated ones, play a role in his healing journey.”