A woman who pretended to be a registered nurse was fined and ordered to pay compensation yesterday.
Lisa Grant, 54, appeared for sentencing at Oban Sheriff Court.
She previously pleaded guilty to a charge that at Burnbrae, Appin, she fraudulently pretended to Fabia Gray that she was a qualified nurse, and provided her with a forged identity badge stating she was a qualified nurse.
Grant, of 1 Dalchork Farm, Lairg, also provided Ms Gray with a false national insurance number, inducing her to employ her and obtain £688.40 in wages, together with sole use of Craig Cottage, Appin.
The offence was committed between December 9, 2013 and January 14, 2014.
She was fined £600 and ordered to pay Ms Gray £300 in compensation.
Fiscal John Service said: “The care was to be provided to Ms Gray’s disabled partner who is 82. She has made it quite clear she would never have entertained the application from the accused if she had been aware that the badge she produced as part of her application was forged.”
Mr Service added: “Ms Gray is herself in her mid seventies. She had accepted the information provided by the accused and believed the accused was a qualified nurse and therefore an appropriate person to act as a carer.”
He said Ms Gray became suspicious about Grant’s qualifications after she supplied details in relation to tax.
Ms Gray then contacted the Nursing and Midwifery Council and discovered she wasn’t registered.
Solicitor Stephen Mcleod said: “The job was advertised as carer/nurse. She has 10 years of experience of caring for individuals and worked as an auxiliary nurse for for a period of five months.
“Describing herself as a state registered qualified nurse was perhaps wishful thinking on her part.
“She turned up and carried out the duties and functions that she was required to do. The badge she forged may well have assisted her in getting the employment in the first place.
“She is due to start work caring for animals in the Muir of Ord area.
“She is deeply ashamed of herself. Having this hanging over her has been a significant worry to her.”
Sheriff Douglas Small told Grant: “It is an extremely serious offence to hold yourself out as a qualified nurse when in fact you are not.
“I have decided in all the circumstances I will deal with you by way of a fine and compensation order.”
