Ipswich paramedic Ian Doyle defrauded ambulance service of nearly £4,500 by falsely claiming overtime payments

Ian Doyle running away and obscuring his face following his hearing (Image: Archant)

Ian Doyle, formerly of Barham, but now of Stonham Barns Holiday Park, Stonham Aspal, was given a 12-week prison service, suspended for 12 months, by Ipswich magistrates.

The 41-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between March 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013.

Mark Holt, representing Doyle, said illness to close family members had put a strain on his client and meant he had often had to travel to Liverpool at short notice.

Mr Holt said: “For a period of time he did not cope very well at all.”

Ian Doyle in his paramedic's uniform after helping deliver a baby in 2011

The court was told that although Doyle did not deny he was guilty of falsely claiming a total of £4442.33 he had filled in his timesheets before doing the extra work while trying to deal with personal pressures.

Explaining the system Mr Holt said: “You put yourself available for overtime at the start of a month. You work the hours and claim those hours at the end of the month.

“As soon as he agreed the overtime he wrote those on his own timesheets. At the end of the month he sent them off.

“He is still employed by the ambulance service, albeit he’s got a disciplinary hearing on November 7 and doesn’t expect that to go well for him.”

Doyle has been a student paramedic for five years.

Earlier in the hearing prosecutor Lesla Small said Doyle was based in Ipswich and was caught out when the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust began an investigation into his overtime claims.

In addition to his suspended jail sentence Doyle was ordered to complete 180 hours’ unpaid work and pay £4442.33 compensation to the ambulance service. He must also pay £85 in costs and £80 to the victims’ fund.

The fraud was brought to the attention of police in April this year.

It is understood Doyle is currently suspended on full pay due to contractual obligations.

Following his sentencing an East of England Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We take allegations of fraud very seriously. As soon as we were made aware of this issue it was reported to the NHS Fraud team.

“Mr Doyle was stood down from all working duties immediately following his guilty plea, and we will continue to work closely with NHS Fraud on this issue until the disciplinary hearing on November 7th.”