UPDATE: Nicola Hutton, a woman who falsely posed as a kidney donor, has just announced her appeal against a five-month prison sentence for her deceitful actions. Hutton, described as a “wicked emotional parasite,” showed no remorse as she manipulated the hopes of a seriously ill man, Billy Cullen, and his wife, Joanne Cullen.
In a desperate plea for help, the Cullens reached out to the public for kidney donors after Billy faced kidney failure. Hutton contacted them, claiming she was willing to donate. For six months, she strung the couple along, even meeting them for meals, while Billy’s health declined to a critical low of just 9% kidney function.
During this time, Hutton never engaged with the organ donation services, despite leading the couple to believe she was a match. Once the truth emerged, Joanne set a trap for Hutton by asking about her doctors, quickly realizing Hutton’s claims were false. This led them to report her to the police, triggering a legal battle that exposed Hutton’s web of lies.
At her trial in Belfast Magistrates’ Court, Judge Francis Rafferty condemned Hutton’s behavior as “abject wickedness,” emphasizing the emotional torment she inflicted on the Cullen family during a time of profound crisis. The judge stated, “You decided to inject yourself into their world and spread poison, wickedness, and false hope.”
Despite her conviction, Hutton remains unrepentant, prompting outrage from Joanne Cullen. She expressed disbelief that Hutton has not faced more severe charges, given that her actions “nearly killed her husband.”
In a positive turn of events, Billy Cullen has since secured a genuine kidney donor through his employer, The Henderson Group, who rallied support within the company for organ donors. Remarkably, a coworker stepped up to donate a kidney, changing Billy’s life for the better.
As this situation develops, Hutton’s appeal against her conviction raises questions about accountability in such deceitful acts. For the Cullens, the ordeal has been a painful journey, but they are relieved that Billy is now on the path to recovery.
Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story, as the Cullens’ resilience shines in the face of Hutton’s heartless manipulation.
