Police in cancer kid probe
POLICE CALLED IN OVER CLAIMS OF FAKE ILLNESS
Charity bosses called in police over fears a teenage fundraiser faked his own terminal illness and was given an all-expenses-paid luxury trip.
The Clutha Trust and other charities claim Eli Stewart, 19, l ied about being ill.
It’s claimed he said he had cancer and then needed a heart transplant.
Astonishing claims that a teenage cancer patient turned charity fundraiser faked his illness are being probed by police.
Detectives were called in after off icials at the Clutha Trust charity alleged Eli Stewart told lies about his terminal disease.
He told the Trust and other charities he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
The 19- year- old said his condition was discovered after a knee scan and a biopsy revealed cancer in his lungs and stomach.
In the past year, the youngster has taken part in events to help fund projects for young people.
Stewar t – who has been photographed with his head shaved and hooked up to a nasal cannula – was also gifted a £1000 guitar by the charity.
Last November, he was then given an all-expenses paid trip to Bel fast to see the Titanic exhibition by Project Genie – another g roup who help vu l ne ra b l e young people.
Stewart then ar r a ng ed a concert for the same charity at Ivor y Blacks nightclub in Glasgow last December.
Project Genie – run by promoter George Ibbetson – say they have still to receive the cash from the gig and have had no contact from Stewart since.
The Clutha Trust were founded by Clutha owner Alan Crossan after 10 people died at his Glasgow bar in 2013 when a police chopper crashed through the roof.
After he hooked up with the Trust a year ago, Stewart was invited to perform with David Hayman at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow for his charity Spirited.
He also took part in a charity tribute to David Bowie at the Barrowland Ballroom last year.
But towards the end of last year, Crossan became suspicious and challenged Stewart.
Stewart then posted emails he claimed were from Dr Fiona Cowie at the Beatson West of Scot l and Cancer Cent re discussing his treatment.
But when Crossan wrote to Dr Cowie, it’s claimed her office told him she did not send the emails.
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received a complaint and police inquiries are ongoing.”
Detectives have interviewed Crossan and Ibbetson.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “NHSGCC and Dr Fiona Cowie are concerned if these allegations about fraudulent letters are found to be true. ” Stewart was studying for a music HNC at New College, Motherwell, last year but is understood to have been asked to leave the course. The college declined to comment.
Yesterday, Crossan said: “We do events through the Clutha Trust to help disadvantaged youngsters.
“This wee guy appeared at the Clutha about a year ago and what we do is give kids a chance to play on a Sunday afternoon. He said he was terminally ill and had only six months to live.”
Crossan became concerned Stewart appeared to be exaggerating his ill health.
He added: “It started off with cancer, then it was epilepsy, then a heart transplant – that was what really raised the alarm with me. He also said he was suffering from seizures.”
He added: “Eli then put up an email from a Dr Fiona Cowie at the Beatson. I wrote to her and her office got back and said, ‘ That’s definitely not her’.”
Stewart claimed on Twitter last March he had missed an Adele concert because he was recovering from chemotherapy.
Yesterday, his Facebook page appeared to have been removed. Crossan says he also became concerned about how Stewart’s claims were affecting others. He added: “We were going to try to get him his work recorded and put him in touch with a woman who writes for films.
“However, there was always this cloak of secrecy.”
Yesterday, at the family home in Drumchapel, Glasgow, Stewart’s mum Carole, 55, said: “I’m sorry he’s not here just now.
“If you contact Pol ice Scotland they will give you all the information you need.”