A disgraced former Dundee nurse who was freed from a jail sentence in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to two years’ probation when she appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Lucille Ferrie (45), of Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, previously admitted that on April 30 last year she fraudulently used another person’s credit and debit cards to order electrical goods including two televisions, a mobile phone, and a netbook computer over the internet.
John Boyle, defending, said Ferrie who made headlines around the world at Christmas 1996 after being accused of being involved in the murder of an Australian nurse had been a changed woman since her experiences in the Middle East.
The mother of two had a job, stable address and no history of problems with alcohol, gambling, drugs or debt.
He added, “There is no good reason why she should have committed this offence,” and called the fraud “baffling.”
He said the court would be aware of Ferrie’s conviction in Saudi Arabia.
“She will not talk about her experiences in detail,” he said, “but she is honest enough to admit that whatever happened there changed her.
“In a way she welcomes these proceedings as an opportunity to change herself back into the person she was before. She still has significant issues which she requires to address.”
He added that Ferrie did not fear a custodial sentence, but was concerned about the welfare of her two children if she was to be locked up.
Sheriff Tom Hughes said he would follow the recommendation of the reports before him, and sentenced Ferrie to a two-year probation order.