Drugs fraudster convicted

10:16am Wednesday 18th June 2008

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QUICK-THINKING medical security staff at the QEII hospital stopped a serial fraudster from continuing to convince hospitals to give him drugs.

Homeless Anthony Rouse was caught out by the staff in Welwyn Garden City after tricking doctors to prescribe him addictive medical drugs by lying about his medical condition.

The 55-year-old was sentenced to a two-year supervision order at St Albans Crown Court yesterday after persuading numerous hospitals to give him opiate drug Pethidine.

The court heard how Rouse complained of stomach pains on public transport and was taken to hospital via ambulance. He claimed that he was allergic so that he could be prescribed the drug.

Rouse plead guilty to two counts of fraud and he also asked for 12 similar incidents to be taken into consideration.

DC Karen Hill said: "This is a very unusual case and we have worked closely with the NHS fraud investigation team to compile a watertight case against Rouse who committed offences in Welwyn Garden City, Surrey, London, the North East and the West Country."

"Security staff at the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City became suspicious and alerted police and Rouse was subsequently arrested."

She added: "We believe Rouse has an addiction to Pethidine and has illegitimately received treatment that he does not need. Not only could this have compromised the health professionals who treated him, but there was the detriment to Rouse's own health to consider, and that of patients who were in genuine need of medical treatment."

Counter Fraud Specialist for the NHS Counter Fraud Service William Simpson added: "This conviction should serve as a message to those who think that misusing NHS resources and time is acceptable - we take this very seriously and will seek punishment where appropriate."