A WOMAN who is seeking £500,000 from her former partner has told a court how she was treated as a drudge for 27 years.

Jacqueline Whigham, 49, made the claim on the second day of her action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Ms Whigham is seeking the cash from her former partner Steven Owen. She says she spent years working for the Mid-lothian-based businessman as he built up a property and business empire worth £3 million.

The court has heard evidence about how she kept accounts and acted as an administrator for Mr Owen's businesses.

Yesterday, Ms Whigham, of Penicuik, Midlothian, said she spent her time with him doing mundane tasks. The mother-of-three said she had picked up Mr Owen's dirty laundry off the bathroom floor.

Ms Whigham made the admission during the hearing to establish whether she is entitled to part of Mr Owen's wealth.

The court has heard that the pair lived together as husband and wife. She also claimed she was left to run a hotel Mr Owen bought – working within days of the birth of her first daughter. She also said she helped Mr Owen run two businesses.

The court heard that though the pair never married, they were referred to in business papers as "Mr and Mrs Owen".

Later, Ms Whigham's daughter Danielle, 27, told the court she realised that her parents were not married when she was around 14 or 15 years old. The hearing continues.