News Article
20 October 2009
NHS Counter Fraud Service Press Release
UWE radiography student jailed for ‘7 year lie’
For immediate release – Tuesday 20th October, 2009
A radiography student who used a fraudulently-obtained British passport to gain her NHS-funded university place and bursary has been sentenced to a total of 19 months’ imprisonment (Bristol Crown Court, Monday 19th October). The conviction concludes a joint investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service and the UK Borders Agency.
Felista Peters, 28, of Vassall Road, Fishponds, Bristol, had no right to reside, work or study in the UK when she applied for the degree course in diagnostic radiography. She had obtained the passport on the basis of a false birth certificate stating she was born in Lambeth, London.
Peters pleaded guilty to five of seven charges, two of which caused a direct loss to the NHS of £34,833.80: she obtained a money transfer by deception, contrary to section 15(a) Theft Act 1968, from NHS Student Bursaries, worth £8,813.80, and obtained services by deception, contrary to section 1(1) of the Theft Act 1978, from the University of West of England (UWE) causing a loss to NHS South West of £26,020 for the cost of her education.
For the first offence she was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and for the second, she received 6 months’ imprisonment. Including three further offences, she was sentenced to 19 months’ imprisonment in total. The two outstanding charges were left on file.
Describing the offences as “extremely serious”, and warranting a sentence to deter others, His Honour Judge Horton noted that Peters, whom he described as an intelligent woman, had “for seven years led the life of a lie”, in order to “bypass checks and balances, which strikes at the security of this country”. He said it was an aggravating factor that her behaviour reduced the ability of others applicants to obtain funding.
UWE has not awarded a BSc in Diagnostic Imaging to Felista Peters and she has not been registered by the Health Professionals Council.
Debbie Lloyd, Operational Fraud Manager South West, NHS Counter Fraud Service, said today: “We will follow up on all reports of suspected fraud, investigate thoroughly and where appropriate, seek prosecution. The NHS Counter Fraud Service is here to ensure that the NHS is protected from deceptions like this”.
-ENDS-
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS CFS press office on 020 7895 4524 /4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CF can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. Sentencing details:
Possession of a false identity document, namely a British passport, contrary to s. 25(1)(a) of the Identity Cards Act 2006 (sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment, to run concurrently);
Obtaining a money transfer by deception from NHS Bursaries, contrary to s. 15A Theft Act 1968 (sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, concurrently);
Obtaining services by deception from the University of West of England, contrary to s.1 (1) Theft Act 1978 (sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment, to run consecutively);
Using a false instrument, namely a British passport, birth certificate and driving licence, with intent, contrary to s.3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act (1981) (sentenced to 3 months’ imprisonment, to run consecutively);
Using a false instrument, namely a British passport, with intent, contrary to s.3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act (1981) (sentenced to 4 months’ imprisonment, to run concurrently).
2. The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and Department of Health whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
3. Around 319 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales.
4.The NHS Counter Fraud Service has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. In 2007-08 NHS CFS saved the NHS £7,565,014
5. In 2007-08 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
6. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.