A 63-year-old NHS administrator who embezzled £80,000 to send to her online boyfriend in Nigeria has been spared prison.
Hyacinth Blair, who worked as an administrator for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, withdrew the funds between June 2021 and January 2023, according to reports from The Telegraph.
Blair transferred the stolen money to Michael Okafor, a man she had formed an online relationship with in Nigeria. She claimed he pressured her into sending the funds and that she felt “helpless.”
Judge Lynn Tayton KC handed Blair a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years after she pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.
The judge highlighted that the stolen money was intended for public services, and Blair’s actions caused distress among her colleagues. She remarked, “Incidents like this undermine confidence in the council’s systems and necessitate thorough financial reviews. The consequences of your actions will be long-lasting, severely impacting both staff and the community.”
Judge Tayton noted that Blair initially told probation officers she was unsure why she took the money but later admitted she believed her online boyfriend demanded it. Blair expressed feeling pressured and conflicted, concerned about stealing from her employer but feeling powerless to resist.
However, the judge concluded that Blair’s dishonesty was sustained and not solely explained by pressure or mental health issues.
Blair, who has a history of depression, is now unemployed and receiving universal credit.
Her sentence was suspended due to her lack of previous convictions and positive character references. She was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation activities, and undergo six months of mental health treatment.
Judge Tayton warned, “You are fortunate. If you return to this court, you will face imprisonment.”
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