A judge has thrown out a guilty plea by Breanne McGuire, the Cambridge teacher who falsely told her friends and colleagues that she had a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma.
McGuire began teaching at Hespeler Public School in 2007. In 2008 she participated in an event to raise money for her expenses and experimental treatment.
“She knew that people believed that they were giving her funds for the purpose of assisting her with expenses related to cancer,” her lawyer told CTV back in April.
McGuire allegedly received $14,000 through fundraising efforts.
After she was charged with fraud McGuire wrote an $8,000 cheque to the Canadian Cancer Society as a show of good faith.
McGuire testified in court that she believed she had cancer when she accepted the money. She also said that she has dealt with several mental health issues.
In July the judge postponed McGuire’s sentencing and ordered a psychiatric assessment.
This week the judge dismissed her guilty plea.
A new trial is set to begin December 19th.
