News, Yorkshire
A former nurse who defrauded an NHS Trust out of more than £70,000 by claiming wages for unworked shifts has been jailed for 18 months.
Dean Armitage, of Edmund Street, Bradford, booked and approved himself for 185 backdated overtime shifts at a mental health unit in Greater Manchester, which he had not worked.
The 33-year-old had been a cocaine addict and ran up debts at the time of his offending, between September 2019 and March 2021, Bradford Crown Court heard.
He pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, which was described by a judge as “persistent, sophisticated and determined,” at his sentencing at the same court on Thursday.
“It was a gross abuse of the trust that had been placed in you by your employer,” Recorder Ian Mullarkey said.
Armitage, a team leader and mental health practitioner at a medium secure unit, told police he had found he could authorise his own shifts by accident.
He mainly claimed for night shifts, which were paid at a higher rate, a Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust spokesperson said.
He backdated the shifts, meaning they did not appear on any rota and therefore did not raise suspicion, the Trust added.
‘Fall from grace’
Data revealed no evidence of Armitage entering or exiting the unit during the 185 shifts he fraudulently claimed for, the Trust spokesperson said.
His offending cost the NHS a total of £72,632.71 in wages and holiday pay, the court heard.
Barrister Erin Kitson-Parker, defending, said Armitage was ashamed of his behaviour and realised the money he had taken could have been used to have a substantial impact on patient care.
“He understands he abused his position, and he understands he has to be accountable,” she said.
“It is a great fall from grace for this defendant.”
Recorder Mullarkey said only an immediate prison sentence was appropriate.
He did not make a compensation order due to Armitage’s lack of means, as the court heard he was still in debt and was now receiving benefits.
Armitage was dismissed by the Trust during its investigation and has been suspended from working as a nurse by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
