A FORMER union representative charged with thousands of pounds' worth of fraud may never appear in court, her lawyer has said.
Gillian Thackray, of Crosland Moor, a one-time Unison leader in Aberdeen, is accused of committing three fraud offences during her tenure. She is said to have forged cheques and paid them into her own account between 1998 and 2003.
It is also claimed she told union workers she was going to conferences across the UK and would need travel, accommodation and childcare expenses.
She is said to have filled out forms claiming £35,858.05 between June 6, 1997, and March 8, 2003, and pocketed the amount.
The final charge she is facing is that she made false office supply claims amounting to £7,762.36.
Her case has been called at least three times at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and she has never appeared.
Yesterday, she failed to turn up again.
She appears in court papers as Gillian Bojang, her married name.
Her address is given as Cromarty Avenue, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield.
Her lawyer, Allan Macleod QC, said there were "serious concerns" about Thackray's health which needed investigation.
He said a doctor had agreed to meet with Thackray, but his report would not be available until March.
Fiscal-depute, Caroline Mckay, said the crown was also to produce a report.
Sheriff Alexander Jessop adjourned the case until February 8.
