A FRAUD accused woman charged with conning local business in an alleged advertising scam has been warned she could also be prosecuted for contempt of court.

Amanda Heath says medical problems led to her failing to appear for a number of hearings of the case but she is yet to provide written proof from her GP.

Heath, 53, had been told to attend for trial on the fraud matter with a soul and conscience letter from her doctor explaining her no-shows on two previous occasions.

But she failed to produce any documentation to show that she was unwell to attend the proceedings related to the fraud allegation, which dates back to 2016.

It is claimed by prosecutors that she induced traders into buying advertising space for a non-existent calendar and collected more than £1,000 through the alleged deceit.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: "She was told to have vouching for her previous failures to appear on medical grounds.

"The accused was to provide medical vouching in April, so there is a contempt issue here."

Defence lawyer Charles Drummond explained that his client previously had another solicitor acting for her, but the sheriff pointed out that this was not the case in April.

Mr Drummond said: "She tells me that she paid a GP for a soul and conscience that was provided to the solicitor who was first instructed in the case."

Heath is said to have collected a total of £1,020 by deception between March 1 and November 30 2016.

Prosecutors say that seven small traders in Gourock and Greenock handed money over to her.

Heath, of Bridgend Street in Inverkip, has maintained a previously tendered plea of not guilty.

Sheriff Hamilton adjourned the trial due to lack of procurator fiscal resources and continued the question of contempt of court until June 25.