NHS nurse's £30,000 sick pay scam laid bare: Pregnant mother-of-four, 44, claimed thousands of pounds while working at two hospitals at the same time, then splashed the cash on TWO holidays to Cuba - as she's spared jail

A pregnant mother-of-four claimed thousands of pounds in sick pay from a hospital while working for a different trust, then splashed the cash on two holidays.

Sarah Oakes, 44, of 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. 

Oakes pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by false representation but a judge at Liverpool Crown Court today spared her jail 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. 

Oakes had was signed off sick from Whiston Hospital, in Merseyside, in February 2019 following surgery to her foot and her complaining of chronic hip pain. 

Six months later she quit on August 28, 2019 having missed a string of welfare appointments with her boss as well as handing in three fraudulent sick notes, the court was told.

But unbeknown to her bosses, she had started work as a staff nurse just nine miles away at Warrington Hospital in August that year having landed the role by giving a false reference. 

She would not have been entitled to the job and wages if the truth had been known, the court heard. 

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, said Oakes was given the conditional offer on January 31, 2019 when she was interviewed while attending a nurses open day at Warrington and Halton NHS Trust. 

'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,' she said.

Ms Holt said that the reference was not pursued but she was asked to identify that referee and gave an incorrect email address.

Having worked a number of days she went off sick for periods and her employment continued until May 2021 when she was sacked.

'Prior to that because of claims of fibromyalgia and her early pregnancy the Trust ensured she did not work long days', said Miss Holt.

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.

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.

'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.