Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
4th December 2024 Issue no. 732

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Hospital locksmith defrauded NHS out of £600k by hiring his own firm to supply goods at marked-up prices

The chief locksmith at a major hospital Trust defrauded it out of nearly £600,000 by hiring his own supply firm and charging a 1,200 per cent mark-up on goods, a court heard.

Andrew Taylor, who was the main locksmith for Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, was found guilty of fraud by abuse of position at Inner London Crown Court and jailed for six years.

The 55-year-old, of London, was responsible for obtaining a best value quotes for locksmith supplies, but purchased locksmith materials from a company that he owned himself.

According to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), which investigated the case, he failed to declare a conflict of interest and charged "extortionate" mark-up prices, some up to 1,200%.

28th March 2018