UPDATE: A court has sentenced Nicola Hutton to five months in prison for pretending to be a kidney donor to a seriously ill man, Billy Cullen, showing no remorse throughout the trial. Hutton, from East Belfast, deceived Cullen and his wife, Joanne, for six months, leading them to believe she was a match for a life-saving transplant.
Authorities confirmed that Hutton contacted the Cullen family after their public appeal for donors, falsely assuring them she would start the donation process. As Billy’s health deteriorated, his kidney function plummeted to just 9%, forcing him to begin dialysis. The couple was left devastated when they learned that no donor had been found.
In a shocking twist, the Cullens set a trap for Hutton, asking her about her doctors. Hutton provided a fake name, ultimately exposing her lies. Following her conviction at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, Judge Francis Rafferty condemned Hutton’s actions, stating, “Your repugnant, repellant behaviour was exacerbated by the fact that you maintained your catalogue of lies.”
The trial revealed that Hutton had never engaged with the organ donation service, despite her claims. During her sentencing, Judge Rafferty emphasized the emotional toll her deceit took on the Cullen family, who faced the potential loss of a husband and father.
Joanne Cullen expressed relief that Hutton would serve time for her actions, yet the couple was informed that Hutton has since appealed her conviction and has yet to begin her sentence. “She has never taken responsibility for her actions and showed no remorse,” Joanne stated.
In a silver lining, Billy Cullen has now secured a kidney donor thanks to the support of his employer, The Henderson Group. A coworker stepped in to donate a kidney, and Billy was unaware of this generous act until after the successful transplant. “The process was so much smoother than the drawn-out ordeal with the fantasist,” he said.
This case highlights the serious implications of deceit in the medical field and the emotional strain it places on vulnerable families. As Hutton’s appeal unfolds, the community remains on alert for further developments in this troubling story.
For immediate updates, stay tuned to Belfast Live.
