27.03.18
Locksmith jailed for six years after defrauding trust of nearly £600,000
A locksmith who was formerly employed by the NHS has been jailed for six years after he was found to have defrauded the health service of nearly £600,000.
Andrew Taylor, 55 from London, is the first person to have been convicted by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) since it was formed in November 2017.
Taylor was found unanimously guilty of defrauding his employer to the sum of £598,000, and the NHSCFA are now starting the process of recovering moneys obtained by him.
The locksmith Taylor had worked for Guys and St Thomas’ NHS FT since 1998, and due to his specialist role was responsible for sourcing and obtaining quotes for supplies from locksmith companies for the trust.
In March 2007, a company called Surety Security started supplying the trust with locksmith materials, but an investigation found that the company was owned by Taylor, who was overcharging the trust by up to 1,200%.
Andy Taylor was convicted by the NHSCFA following years of defrauding the NHS
Interestingly, NHSCFA also said that the trust was Surety Security’s only customer, meaning that the company may have been set up solely to defraud Guy and St Thomas’ NHS FT.
Financial investigators later discovered that Taylor enjoyed a lifestyle beyond legitimate means, sending his son to a school with fees of £1,349 a month, and purchasing a brand new vehicle at a cost of £27,400.
Sue Frith, interim CEO of the NHSCFA, stated: “This is a significant and rewarding outcome for the NHSCFA, and sends a clear message that we will intervene and take action against those who commit fraud against the NHS and who take money originally intended for patient care for their own personal gain.
“Andrew Taylor exploited his position at Guys and St Thomas’ to satisfy his own greed and personal lifestyle. The sentence imposed today should act as a clear deterrent to anyone else who thinks that NHS funds are there for their own gain, instead of being there to meet the healthcare needs of everyone.
“The NHSCFA’s action now continues to pursue the money taken by Taylor in order to return it to the NHS.”
Top image: Georgie Gillard PA Wire