Further delay in long-running fraud case at Wick court

Fresh doubt about whether a protracted £40,000 fraud trial will proceed surfaced at Wick Sheriff Court this week.

The court heard, previously, that talks between the prosecution and defence aimed at producing a plea of guilty to amended or reduced charges had taken place.

However, the talks failed and Fiona Taylor adhered to her plea of not guilty.

But there were indications at Wick Sheriff Court this week that the on-off trial might be off again.

Solicitor Sylvia Maclennan, who described the case as having "a chequered life history" said that Taylor (63) wanted more time in which to "consider her position". Whether that means her changing her plea to guilty wasn't clear.

Miss Maclennan told Sheriff Mark Lindsay KC that she had discussed matters with the fiscal and was seeking a continuation to another hearing ahead of the trial, fixed for October 5 – "to see if it is going to proceed".

Sheriff Lindsay fixed September 20 for another hearing.

Taylor, an Orcadian, now of Glamis Road, Wick, is alleged to have pretended to pensioner Albert Millington that she needed money to help her grand-daughter 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 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.

The case, which was first called at the court more than two years ago, has been fraught with delays with Taylor being subject to various medical assessments. It was only late last year that she was declared fit to give Miss Maclennan instructions.

Taylor was present in court this week to hear the latest deliberations in her long-running case.