A BELFAST WOMAN who fraudulently claimed that she would donate a kidney to a man awaiting a transplant has been sentenced to five months in prison.

Nicola Hutton, from east Belfast, had been convicted of a false communication offence at an earlier hearing. 

At today’s sentencing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court, the 54-year-old was handed a sentence of five months’ imprisonment.

In August 2024, a media appeal was made on behalf of William ‘Billy’ Cullen from Newtownabbey, who had been suffering from Polycystic Kidney Disease for around ten years. 

At this time, his kidney function was 15% and his condition had deteriorated to the point where he needed a donor kidney or he would be forced to undergo 8-10 hours of daily dialysis. 

Hutton responded to the appeal by saying that she would come forward as a live donor and was already on the transplant register.

“Six months of communications followed, which included claims that Hutton had attended medical appointments and been informed that the transplant surgery would happen before June 2025,” PSNI Sergeant Young said.

“In February 2025, Billy discovered Hutton’s lies. The devastated Cullen family contacted the police and we commenced an investigation.”

By April this year, Billy Cullen’s kidney function had diminished to 10% and he was forced to begin dialysis.

“Six months had been wasted believing Hutton’s claims; time which could have been spent searching for a legitimate donor,” Young said. 

“Thankfully, over the summer a donor was found for William and he underwent a successful transplant operation. His health has improved dramatically and he returned to work this week. 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.”

Young urged anyone who thinks that they have been the victim of a scam to report it to the PSNI. 

In a statement, Billy Cullen welcomed Hutton’s sentencing, saying he felt “betrayed, angry, scared, and worried about my family” after discovering the scam. 

He said he had to give up work because his health had deteriorated so much and that he was in “terrible pain” and didn’t want to get out of bed. 

“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,” he said. 

“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.”

The PSNI said information on scam and fraud prevention can be found on their website.