Freed Saudi nurse Lucille McLauchlan yesterday made her first appearance in court since she was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of Yvonne Gilford.

Ms McLauchlan, 32, appeared in connection with charges of stealing a credit card and cash from a patient and obtaining her job in Saudi Arabia by fraud.

Her court appearance continued the media spotlight which has followed her since she was released from Dammam prison last Christmas.

Ms McLauchlan, of Kilberry Street, Dundee, was introduced to the court as Lucille McLauchlan or Ferrie. She spoke only to confirm her name. Lawyer William Boyle entered a not guilty to the three charges Ms McLauchlan faces, but said: ''I have intimated a defence of alibi in respect of certain matters.'' He did not specify which charges this referred to.

Sheriff James P Scott allowed the case to be continued to another intermediate diet on December 4 to agree certain evidence.

Depute-fiscal Nicola Brown said: ''Given the large number of documents which have been produced it's advantageous to have another intermediate diet. She added: ''I have no objection to the attendance of the accused being excused.''

Both parties said they were fully prepared to go to trial on December 17 and 18.

Ms McLauchlan faces charges of stealing a bank card and diary from a patient at King's Cross Hospital, Dundee, in March 1996 and using the card to withdraw #1960.

She is also charged with submitting an application form to Speedwell Nurses Recruitment falsely claiming she had been employed as a senior staff nurse at Forebank Nursing Home in Dundee on a salary of #13,000 per annum.

It is alleged she claimed that she was responsible for managing the time and absence of senior nurses and teaching other members of staff.

Ms McLauchlan is alleged to have falsely claimed she left her previous job as a senior staff nurse at King's Cross Hospital, Dundee, in October 1995 because the ward closed and that one of her referees held the position of charge nurse.

It is also alleged that she submitted two references in the names of ''T Aitken'' and ''Lorraine Deuchars RGN'' knowing they were forged.

As a result, it is alleged, the nursing agency forwarded her application to Arabian Careers Ltd, of Shaftesbury Place, London, and she obtained a job in Saudi Arabia by fraud.

Ms McLauchlan was jailed with English nurse Deborah Parry, from Hampshire, over the death of Australian colleague Yvonne Gilford in 1996.

A Saudi court convicted her of being an accessory to murder and sentenced her to 500 lashes and eight years in prison. Her sentence was commuted in May of this year after she had served 17 months.