Aberdeen nurse jailed for false rape claim against her grandfather

A “cruel” nurse who falsely accused her grandfather of rape in a bid to claim inheritance money has been jailed. Natalie Mortimer, 25, sparked a police investigation when she claimed she had been sexually abused by Gordon Ritchie.

She had believed she would get more money if he had been sent to prison, but later admitted she had made it up. Mortimer was jailed for 22 months at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for wasting police time.

Her grandfather was a former foster carer, and children who had been under his care were questioned as part of the inquiry.

Defence lawyer Lynne Freeland said: “She is deeply ashamed and is embarrassed by her actions and has described it as greedy, selfish and cruel.

“Sadly time can’t go back and she can’t turn back time on this horrendous crime.

“She understands that this will have torn lives apart.”

Sheriff Graeme Buchanan told her: “False allegations of rape and other sexual offences are very serious because they put doubts in the minds of jurors in genuine cases and they subject innocent people such as Mr Ritchie to a terrifying ordeal of suspicion and investigation by police.

“What you did to Mr Ritchie was truly evil and despicable and there is only one appropriate sentence for this behaviour and that is imprisonment.”