Case Study 01
Former NHS Neonatal Manager Sentenced to Five Years for £250,000 Fraud
A former NHS neonatal manager has been sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding the NHS of nearly £250,000. The individual was found guilty of nine counts at Cardiff Crown Court in July 2024, following a five-week trial.
Charges and Conviction
Case Background The case began in February 2020, when the individual was suspended from their position as Ward Manager on the Neonatal Unit of the hospital they were employed at, due to allegations of theft and concerns about their qualifications. An internal investigation by the Health Board led to the matter being reported to the Counter Fraud Office in December 2020. The investigation revealed that the individual had created and submitted fraudulent material to secure significant positions of trust within the NHS. They were arrested in April 2021, and were interviewed six times over a six-month period, consistently denying the allegations. Legal Proceedings The individual was formally charged in June 2023, and maintained their not guilty plea through three court hearings between July 2023 and April 2024. Following their conviction in July 2024, they received a five-year prison sentence in October 2024.
Aftermath The Lead Local Counter Fraud Specialist stated that the individual had manipulated and deceived their employers, friends, and colleagues about their qualifications, experience, and alleged military career over many years. The case is intended to demonstrate that individuals who commit fraud against the NHS will face appropriate legal consequences. A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 investigation has been initiated by the investigating Local Counter Fraud Specialists, with assistance from the NHS Counter Fraud Service and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The individual was convicted of:
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Five counts of fraud by false representation
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Two counts of using a false instrument with intent
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One count of unauthorized computer access with intent to commit other offences
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One count of possessing/controlling articles for use in fraud
6 | SCRUTTON BLAND | COUNTER FRAUD
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