Sickness delay in trial of ex-mayor

Oct 16 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

THE trial of the former mayor of Sefton and his wife accused of benefit fraud was adjourned again yesterday because he was ill.

Ex-mayor of Sefton John Walker, 57, and his wife Catie, 49, are accused of conspiring to fraudulently obtain more than £47,000 in income support and disability living allowance.

The couple, of Farmer Place, Bootle, each deny both charges.

The trial began four weeks ago, but Walker was first unable to come to court after he had started being cross- examined by prosecutor Teresa Loftus last Wednesday.

Judge Brian Lewis told the jury a doctor was going to examine Walker.

He told them: “The prosecution will get medical opinion, I hope at consultant level, as to Mr Walker’s fitness to continue this trial.

“I don’t know how long that will take.”

He sent the jury home until today after telling them he hoped to have the results of Walker’s examination.

The case continues.