Male migrant used female nurse's identity to work in hospital but avoids going to prison for fraud

Chester Magistrates's Court was told that despite wearing Ms George's NHS name badge with a clear photograph of her attached, colleagues did not suspect Njoku.

Between February and April, the Nigerian national carried out observations and washed and dressed patients.

However, a suspicious patient confronted Njoku who said: "My name is Joyce - but I am a man."

Enquiries into the incident discovered that Ms George, 32, was also a Nigerian national who had obtained the job through an outside agency having done an interview.

However, she then allowed Njoku to complete the shifts in her name.

Upon raiding Ms George's address in Ellesmere Port, police discovered Njoku at the property.

Both suspects's mobile phones showed messaged discussing the shifts at the hospital.

Having admitted to fraud by false representation at Chester Magistrates' Court, Njoku received a 16-week prison term suspended for 12 months and 80 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £239 costs and surcharge.

It is not yet known if he will be deported as he is "dependent" on the work visa of his wife who is also an NHS worker.

Meanwhile Ms George is understood to have fled the UK having been charged with fraud.

An arrest warrant has been issued and it is believed she returned to Nigeria.

Lisa McGuire, prosecuting, told the court how Ms George obtained her job at the hospital through an agency.

She said: "She permitted Njoku to do her shifts under her name.

"Fortunately, no harm was done and there were no complaints about Njoku's work. But it is the access which is the serious concern."

Njoku had no previous convictions and had come to the UK from Nigeria as a student.

His lawyer Steven Alis said it was "perhaps surprising" his presence "was not picked up by management".

He added that Njoku was in fact a qualified nurse but his "safeguarding checks had not come through" at the time.

Mr Alis said: "He accepted the seriousness of the matter. Since then, he has obtained the appropriate authorisation but has chosen not to work in the care industry.

"Instead, he now has employment at Vauxhall through an agency."

During the sentencing, District Judge Jack McGarva told Njoku: "You deceived your way into a job which requires safeguarding checks.

"That undermines the system. Although you were qualified and you did the work without complaint, that is not the point."