Home   News   Article

Solicitor steps up to represent Wick woman accused of £40k fraud





A Wick woman accused of a £40,000 fraud has now secured legal representation. Local solicitor Sylvia Maclennan is now acting for 63-year-old Fiona Taylor, who has yet to tender a plea to the indictment.

The charge alleges that Taylor pretended to a pensioner that she needed money to help her grand-daughter with her rent arrears and for the purchase and running of the Wick Airport Cafe. The person was to be given ownership of the business for a £33,000 investment.

Taylor, of Glamis Road, Wick, is further accused of inducing the pensioner to pay her £7000 to buy a car on the basis she would drive them about. The offences are said to have been committed between December 10, 2015 and July 1, 2016.

The protracted case first called at Wick Sheriff Court last December when Taylor wasn't present.

She didn't turn up for subsequent hearings and appeared to be reluctant to answer the indictment.

At one point, a warrant was issued for her arrest and Fiscal David Barclay informed the court that he had received correspondence from the accused and suggested to her that she should consult a solicitor.

Taylor eventually appeared in court more recently when her fitness to plead was called into question and a social worker met with her.

Sheriff Andrew Berry stated on Friday that Taylor's GP didn't appear to have any 'clinical' concern about Taylor's capacity or fitness to plead to the indictment.

The sheriff expressed the court's appreciation to Miss Maclennan for stepping up to represent Taylor. The solicitor said she had had a brief chat with the accused prior to the court and had received from her the relevant paperwork in the case.

Miss Maclennan added that she had arranged to have a further meeting with the accused at her office after the court, to take instructions from her.

The case was again continued without plea until September 22.

Related news


View our fact sheet on court reporting here




This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More