A senior doctor who wrongly claimed almost £24,000 in overtime has been given a suspended prison sentence today (Tue 28 Mar).
Consultant radiologist John Coffey, 53, admitted fraud by false representation part-way through his trial at Preston Crown Court in February 2017.
The court heard how Coffey reviewed hundreds of x-rays during his working day but waited until after 5pm to enter the work on the NHS system, thereby triggering overtime payments.
Today at Preston Crown Court, Coffey was sentenced to 15 months in custody, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and costs of £14,600.
Adam Clarke, from the CPS, said:
“John Coffey abused his position in order to repeatedly claim thousands of pounds of public money he was simply not entitled to.
“Prosecutors worked with investigators to build a strong case and faced with the evidence against him, Coffey pleaded guilty.”
The prosecution followed an investigation by NHS Protect.
Notes to Editors
· Adam Clarke is a Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS Specialist Fraud Division