A NEWPORT woman who died in a motorway crash was the wife of a solicitor jailed for stealing from dead clients' estates.

Una Hiscott, 44, of Lock Street, died in a crash on a slip road between the M4 and M5 near Bristol at 5.20pm on Sunday after a car, in which she was the passenger, tried to overtake a lorry and crashed into a barrier and road sign.

Mrs Hiscott's husband Russell, 55, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2004 after he pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft. At Newport crown court, he admitted stealing £470,000 from a string of clients' estates. He said none of his family had any idea of what he was doing.

Last night, a Magor friend of the couple who did not want to be named, said: "I knew Una for about four or five years.

"Her mother and father were both doctors in Wolverhampton, and she has four sisters. She moved down here when she qualified as a solicitor. "Her main interest was entertaining, wining and dining. She was a fantastic cook, superb, and loved to have people round. She was always having dinner parties and barbecues."

Neigbours in Lock Street said they were shocked by Mrs Hiscott's death. One said: "She had owned her house for around 14 years and was always pleasant. It's quite shocking to think of this happening." Mrs Hiscott used to work at her husband's practice, Hiscott and Co, in Monmouth.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for anyone with information about the crash to call 0845 456 7000.