A former Southport hospital ward nurse has been found guilty of fraud after pretending to be her mother in order to access a drug she was addicted to.
Jennifer Peters, who resigned from her role worked at Southport and Formby District General Hospital, admitted to magistrates five counts of fraud following her being exposed for the crippling addiction.
The mum-of-four, from Aintree, lied to get the drugs on 13 occasions across a six month period. She began taking the painkillers following “two very difficult births” but became addicted to the medication in 2017.
After being interviewed by police she was the subject of a disciplinary hearing at Southport hospital and subsequently resigned from her post.
It was revealed in court however that Peters later got a job with the ambulance service as a call handler.
Olivia Brady, prosecuting, said that between February 11, 2017 and November 11 that year, Peters called NHS out of hours services in attempts to get the prescription drug.
The court heard she pretended to be her mother-in-law and her best friend as well as her own mum in efforts to get the drug.
Mr Brady explained that on some occasion Peters would be successful in obtaining the drugs, but on others would not.
The court heard Peters has no previous convictions.
Ian Till, defending, said she is of “impeccable previous good character” having worked as a nurse for 13 years, and immediately admitted the offences in interview.
OTS News on Social Media