A WOMAN has been ordered to pay more than £26,000 to Worcestershire Health and Care Trust for failing to disclose her criminal convictions.

Narminder Rayat was found guilty of failing to declare she had previous criminal convictions, relating to fraud, to Worcestershire Health and Care Trust when applying for jobs.

In December 2019, Rayat was found guilty of fraud by false representation and failure to disclose information to make a gain for herself (or another) or cause (or expose) others to a loss.

Rayat was sentenced in December 2020 to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, as well as being ordered to attend a 25-day rehabilitation programme and given a six-month curfew.

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Following an investigation by West Mercia Police, it was discovered the former health care assistant had applied for 34 jobs at Worcestershire Health and Care Trust between 2015 and 2016 following her previous convictions but failed to disclose any on her applications.

On Tuesday, November 8,  Rayat was given a compensation order at Worcester Crown Court, where she must pay a total of £26,252 to Worcestershire Health and Care Trust within three months or face 12 months in prison.

Rayat, of Eastfield Road, Tipton, is no longer employed by Worcestershire Health and Care Trust.

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Detective inspector Emma Wright of West Mercia Police, said: “This outcome is testament to a thorough criminal investigation carried out by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and goes some way to compensate Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, who have been impacted by the criminal conduct of Rayat.

“This case demonstrates that those who commit fraud will be tackled by West Mercia Police; both by bringing them to justice and by removing the proceeds of the crimes to compensate victims.

“I want to reassure the public that we take any reports of fraud seriously and if you feel you or your business have been a victim of fraud you should report this to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk.”