- Nurse Sarah Oakes, 44, obtained just over £30,000 in two different scams
A pregnant mother-of-four who claimed thousands of pounds in sick pay from a hospital while working for a different trust, and then splashed the cash on two holidays, has been spared jailed.
Sarah Oakes, 44, Runcorn, Cheshire, scammed just over £30,000 while working as an NHS nurse, a court heard.
The fraudster used the money to jet off to Cuba while she was supposedly sick to meet her boyfriend, and then brazenly returned again to the Caribbean island to marry him.
But a judge at Liverpool Crown Court spared Oakes jail today as it would have meant her husband would have to quit his warehouse operative job to look after the children.
He is currently living in the UK on a ‘married visa’, the court heard, which meant he would not have been able to claim benefits to pay for the bills and food.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today that Oakes began working at Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, in October 2015 until she resigned on August 28, 2019.
‘Prior to that she had been off sick since February, saying she was unfit because of chronic hip pain and had surgery to her foot’, said Sarah Holt, prosecuting.
‘During her sickness her manager maintained contact and there were a number of welfare appointments which she failed to attend and while off work she provided three sick notes which were fraudulent.
Sarah Oakes, 44, (pictured outside court) obtained just over £30,000 in two different scams while working as an NHS nurse
Oakes made two trips to Cuba while off sick – as shown on her Facebook account – saying she had gone there to meet her boyfriend and then returned to marry him
‘On January 31, 2019, while she was working at Whiston Hospital, she attended a nurses open day at Warrington and Halton NHS Trust and interviewed for the position of staff nurse and was conditionally offered the job.
‘She gave the names of two referees, one her personal tutor at university and the second was a senior nurse at her employer, St Helens and Halton NHS Trust.’
Ms Holt said that the reference was not pursued but she was asked to identify that referee and gave an incorrect email address.
She started the job at Warrington Hospital in August 2019 while still employed at Whiston Hospital.
She worked a number of days before going off sick for periods and her employment continued until May 2021 when she was dismissed.
‘Prior to that because of claims of fibromyalgia and her early pregnancy the Trust ensured she did not work long days’, said Miss Holt.
She explained that she had worked legitimately at Whiston Hospital but had obtained the Warrington job by providing a false reference and would not have been entitled to the job and wages if the truth had been known.
Oakes made two trips to Cuba while off sick – as shown on her Facebook account – saying she had gone there to meet her boyfriend and then returned to marry him.
The 44-year-old from Runcorn, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to two offences of fraud by false representation
Patrick Williamson, defending, told the court: ‘That work with the second trust must have been on some value, albeit the job was obtained fraudulently.’
He said there was no indication of any inappropriate behaviour on her part or falling short in the job.
Ms Oakes started the job at Warrington Hospital in August 2019 while still employed at Whiston Hospital.
‘She worked at Whiston for four years but at the beginning of 2019 a number of matters arose personally and professionally which led to her behaviour in consequent months.
‘At work, she maintains that she was subjected to bullying. She had been in a same sex relationship for four years and received comments she described as homophobic,’ said Mr Williamson.
‘In the following six months she has provided forged notes and false information about sickness.’
He said she had a miscarriage and suffered from mental health problems. During the six month period she visited Cuba and is now married to the man she originally met in 2017.
Mr Williamson said she has since obtained work as a community nurse but her employer is aware of the court proceedings and is considering her position.
Judge Anil Murray pointed out that if she was sent straight to jail her husband would have to give up his warehouse job to look after the children, the youngest two being aged four and seven months old.
He would be unable to obtain benefits as he is here on ‘a married visa’.
Sentencing Oakes, Jude Murray said she has no previous convictions and is currently receiving medical treatment and has ‘strong personal mitigation.’
He sentenced her to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered her to carry out 20 days rehabilitation activities.