Newtownabbey man felt 'betrayed, angry and scared' when woman falsely offered him a donor kidney
A Newtownabbey man who was falsely offered a donor kidney he desperately needed felt “betrayed, angry and scared” by the woman who deceived him.
Billy Cullen welcomed the five-month jail sentence handed down to east Belfast woman Nicola Hutton on Thursday (November 6) at Belfast Magistrates Court.
“After discovering her lies, I felt betrayed, angry, scared, and worried about my family,” he said.
“Because my health had deteriorated so much I had to give up work. I was never off work before and I was in terrible pain.
“I didn't want to get out of bed and my wife Joanne had to console me and remind me to be strong. My family and my church helped me through this awful time.
“It was such a horrible low point in my life that could have been avoided had I been able to get a donor earlier. If it hadn’t been for Nicola Hutton I would not have had to face a lot of this pain.
“I was robbed of precious first times with my grand-babies and times with my teenage daughter. I am still hurt and angry at what my family went through – how could anyone do something like this?
“Thankfully I had my transplant in the summer and it was a success. Thanks to Eddie Kidd, who donated one of his kidneys to me, I finally feel like myself again.”
He thanked staff at the Renal Unit at Belfast City Hospital, and Kidney Care UK for their support throughout his ordeal.
Speaking after Thursday’s hearing, PSNI Sergeant Young said: “Hutton never provided an explanation for her callous actions.
"We hope that today's sentencing sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of crime – you will face the consequences of your actions.
"We would appeal to anyone who thinks that they may have been the victim of a scam to report to police.”