Co Fermanagh doctor facing jail for defrauding Alzheimer's patient of £10,000

Dr Michelle Melotte, who has since repaid the money, pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraud by abuse of position at Omagh Crown Court sitting in Belfast.

The 61-year old, from Bannagh Beg Road in Kesh, was charged with occupying a position in which she was expected to safeguard the financial interests of the pensioner and dishonestly abused that position to obtain £10,000 from him.

The offence was committed over a period from January 30, 2010 to April 22, 2011.

When the charge was put to Dr Melotte, she responded by saying “guilty”.

The court heard that the victim, who was in his late 70s at the time, is now deceased. It also emerged that Dr Melotte has since paid back the £10,000.

Crown prosecutor Sam Magee said the case against Dr Melotte concerned an “arrangement” regarding a loan between her and the elderly patient, who at the time was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Describing the patient as a “vulnerable individual with ailing mental and physical health”, Mr Magee said the doctor’s plea indicated that she accepted she abused her position of trust to defraud the pensioner out of £10,000.

Mr Magee added that it was the Crown’s case that the financial arrangement between the doctor and her patient was “improper”.

A defence barrister asked that sentencing be put back for a month to allow the preparation of pre-sentence reports and character testimonials.

He also requested that his client be released on continuing bail until sentencing.

Judge Piers Grant agreed to continuing bail, but before she left the dock Dr Melotte was warned that she could face jail for the “mean and deplorable offence”.

Saying he accepted that the money “has eventually been repaid”, the judge told the Co Fermanagh woman it was “almost inevitable” that he will send her to prison.

She is due to be sentenced next month.