Fraud rap mum court no show

Aug 27 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A MUM accused of stealing money raised for her sick daughter failed to show up for a court appearance this week.

But Rachel Findlay’s letter of excuses was branded unsatisfactory by a sheriff.

Findlay, who has been charged with stealing money from The Jessica Findlay Appeal, was first arrested in November 2008.

But her trial has been continually postponed for various reasons – including her apparent ill health.

This week Findlay, 28, was supposed to appear before Sheriff John Montgomery at Ayr Sheriff Court for a pre-trial hearing.

But at the 11th hour she faxed a letter to her lawyers explaining she was unfit to attend due to various health problems, including her diabetes.

Depute fiscal Erin Campbell was less than impressed with the explanation since Findlay has already been warned to co-operate fully with the court.

Ms Campbell told Sheriff Montgomery: “I’ve seen that letter and it’s very brief in its terms.”

Sheriff Montgomery replied: “Yes, it’s unsatisfactory.” However, the Sheriff agreed to continue the case until Friday this week.

Findlay, formerly of Lochgreen Avenue in Troon, and now of, Kilmarnock, is facing a charge that between March 7 2008 and November 13 2008, at LochGreen Avenue in Troon, HBOS in Troon, and Prestwick Airport she stole in excess of £30,000 from cash donations and the account held in trust for Jessica.

The mum-of-one is now scheduled to undergo two psychiatric assessments before then.

Schools, football clubs, supermarkets, businesses and individual members of the Ayrshire community and beyond have given cash to the campaign.

Generous donors were trying to raise £300,000 to send Jessica, now seven, to America for life-saving heart surgery.

A website set up for the campaign sold wrist bands for £1.50 and offered advertising space for £15.

The site gave details of Jessica’s illness and the treatment she needs.

At the time of Findlay’s arrest, the site stated that the estimated raised total was standing at £102,000.