Fraud case not going away, Wick sheriff warns woman
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A sheriff has told fraud-accused Fiona Taylor that her protracted trial will proceed soon – even if she has to conduct her own defence.
The long-running case, first called at Wick Sheriff Court more than two years ago, has been fraught with delays over her legal representation and her fitness to stand trial.
Negotiations between fiscal David Barclay and Taylor's solicitor, Sylvia Maclennan, aimed at avoiding a trial and reducing the charge to a level that would attract a guilty plea, have failed to produce such an agreement.
Miss Maclennan made a further attempt at securing a solution on Thursday, but reported to Sheriff Neil Wilson after further discussions that "matters had not gone as originally hoped".
Miss Maclennan said that Taylor was adhering to her plea of not guilty to the charges and that an earlier trial might now be possible. The solicitor said she was still acting for the accused but might have to withdraw from doing so at some point.
Mr Barclay said that if there was a change in Taylor's plea an earlier hearing could be arranged.
Sheriff Wilson said there was no reason why Taylor, who was present in court wearing a mask after a bout of Covid, could not represent herself at her trial.
The sheriff told Taylor, of Glamis Road, Wick: "This case has gone on for some time, for many, many reasons, and you should not think it is going to go away... it has to be brought to a conclusion. You are entitled to represent yourself. I am setting this case down for trial and it will go to trial."
The trial date was fixed for November 14.
Taylor, an Orcadian, now aged 66, is alleged to have pretended to pensioner Albert Millington that she needed money to help her granddaughter with her rent arrears and for the purchase and running of the Wick Airport Cafe. Mr Millington was to be given ownership of the business for his £33,000 in investment.
Taylor is further accused of inducing the 88-year-old to pay her a further £7000 for the purchase of a car she would use to drive him about.
