Northern Ireland

Pensioner living in Spain faces trial for alleged fraud

A pensioner is to stand trial in the New Year on a single charge of fraud allegedly committed over a four year period.

Yvette Morton appeared at Belfast Crown Court via video link from her home in the Andalucia region of Spain for a brief arraignment hearing today.

The 71-year-old, whose address was given on court papers as Eucalyptus Close, Mollina in Malaga, confirmed her identity to the court clerk.

She is accused that between October 8 2010 and September 11 2014, "whilst occupying a position in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of William Archer, dishonestly abused that position in that you made withdrawals from the bank accounts of William Archer''.

The charged added that this was "not for his benefit, and was with the intention, by means of the abuse of that position, to make a gain for yourself or another, or to cause loss to William Archer, or to expose William Archer to a risk of a loss''.

When the charge under the Fraud Act 2006 was put to her by the court clerk, the defendant replied "not guilty''.

Defence barrister Alan Stewart told Judge Patrick Kinney that a trial date will be required following his client's not guilty plea.

"We are engaging the services of a financial expert to examine the sums involved,'' said Mr Stewart.

He asked that he be given until next Friday to lodge a defence statement as it would have to be sent to Spain for the defendant to sign and sent back.

Judge Kinney agreed to review the case on January 11, 2023, when a timetable for the trial will be confirmed.