Leicestershire GP surgery manager who stole £184k from NHS to pay back just £20k

A surgery manager who pocketed almost £184,000 through fraud will only have to pay back less than £21,000.

Kirsty Whawell, from Leicestershire, was convicted in 2021 and given a 12 month jail sentence after she admitted fraud by false representation and six counts of fraud by abuse of position at the surgery, between 2013 and 2019.

The 42-year-old who worked at Kibworth Medical Centre wrote cheques to herself and used surgery funds to pay for her garage bill and holiday lettings.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Kirsty Whawell obtained her job at Kibworth Medical Centre dishonestly, by lying about having no criminal convictions when she had previously stolen from an employer.

When applying, the court heard she forged a DBS document to conceal a 2008 conviction for misusing an employer's credit card for her own purposes while working as an au-pair.

She gave herself several pay rises of several thousands without permission while in the role.

She covertly paid herself overtime - while consistently telling colleagues she never claimed for extra hours.

Her crimes only came to light when the surgery was merged with another, leading to a closer look at the accounts that Whawell controlled.

She was dismissed for gross misconduct in May 2019.

The 42-year-old faced a further hearing after her release from prison under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

She appeared before a crown court judge on Wednesday and a confiscation order was issued, forcing her to repay some of the money she stole.

Kirsty Whawell arrived at Leicester Crown Court Covering her face with a handbag.

The court yesterday heard about the assets Whawell had available and ordered her to pay just over £21,000, which will be given to the medical centre as compensation.

If she does not hand over the money she may be sent back to prison.

DC Neil Edwards of the Leicestershire Police economic crime unit, said: “Our efforts to stop criminal activity doesn’t just stop at conviction.

"The police have the powers to apply to the court to confiscate property or assets believed to be accrued as a result of the defendant’s criminality.

"We are pleased that the court have agreed to grant the confiscation order and if Whawell fails to pay the value of the order she faces an additional custodial sentence.