Moves continue to bring drawn-out Wick fraud case to a conclusion

Fraud accused Fiona Taylor has retained an advocate to argue her case, aimed at enabling her to plead guilty to a reduced charge and spare her a trial.

It's the latest move in the protracted proceedings which began at Wick Sheriff Court more than two years and eight months ago.

Taylor originally denied the indictment after she was deemed fit to enter a plea following long drawn-out medical consultations.

The charge alleges that she pretended to a pensioner that she needed money to help her granddaughter with her rent arrears and for the purchase and running of the Wick Airport café. The man was to be given ownership of the business for his £33,000 investment.

Taylor, of Glamis Road, Wick, is further accused of inducing the 88-year-old to pay her a further £7000 for a car she would use to drive him about. The offences are alleged to have occurred between December 2015 and July 2016.

In January, the court heard that the prosecution and the defence were collaborating in a bid to produce a reduced charge and a change of plea to one of guilty.

On Wednesday, leading advocate Bill Adam appeared for Taylor – who made a rare appearance in court – assisted by the accused's original legal advisor, solicitor Sylvia Maclennan.

But the development does not look as if it will bring plea negotiations to a speedy conclusion.

Mr Adam reported that he had had a meeting with Taylor, described as a vulnerable person, and told Sheriff Mark Lindsay: "There are memory difficulties and it was difficult to get clear instructions from her. I would like to meet her again on a couple of occasions before the case next calls."

Fiscal David Barclay said he had no objection to a continuation and added: "I am aware there are particular issues and things are not as straightforward as they might be."

The case will call again on July 26.