UPDATE: Nicola Hutton, the woman who falsely posed as a kidney donor for a critically ill man, is appealing her conviction and sentence of five months in prison. Authorities report that Hutton showed no remorse during her trial, which concluded just days ago.
Hutton deceived Billy Cullen and his wife, Joanne Cullen, for over six months, leading them to believe she was a match for Billy’s kidney transplant as his health deteriorated. This shocking case unfolded in East Belfast after the couple made a public appeal for donors, prompting Hutton to reach out with false promises.
Judge Francis Rafferty condemned Hutton’s actions, describing them as “abject wickedness.” The judge emphasized the emotional toll on the Cullen family, stating that Hutton injected herself into their lives at a time of “grave threat” when Billy faced the possibility of death.
During the trial at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, Hutton claimed she had been in contact with the organ donation service, but was unable to provide any credible evidence of her claims, only mentioning a vague appointment date of “December.” This led to her conviction for a false communication offense.
Joanne Cullen expressed relief at Hutton’s sentencing but was dismayed to learn of her appeal, stating that Hutton has never accepted responsibility for her deceitful actions. “She nearly killed my husband,” Joanne said, highlighting the severity of Hutton’s false claims.
After enduring a prolonged and tormenting wait for a donor, Billy Cullen finally secured a kidney transplant earlier this year, thanks to a coworker from The Henderson Group. The process was a stark contrast to the drawn-out deception Hutton perpetrated, as Billy was unaware of his donor’s identity until after the successful operation.
The Cullens are now focused on healing, but the emotional scars from Hutton’s deceit linger. As the appeal process unfolds, the community watches closely, hoping for justice to prevail.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and click here for breaking news from Belfast Live. Share this article to spread awareness of this shocking case and its impact on the Cullen family.
