A nurse forged a doctor’s signature to obtain prescriptions for Botox worth thousands of pounds for her private beauty business.
Kate Matthew, a registered nurse and health visitor, admitted six counts of fraud by false representation.
Cardiff crown court heard that 34-year-old Matthew, from Cwmbran in south Wales, met a qualified doctor while attending a course on Botox. Prosecutors said the pair developed a working relationship whereby the doctor would prescribe Botox for Matthew’s clients.
The court was told the business relationship came to an end and Matthew forged the doctor’s signature to obtain more Botox. An investigation took place after a pharmacy raised concerns.
When the fraud emerged, Matthew said to a member of the staff at the pharmacy: “Please don’t report this. I’m a single mum. I didn’t know what I was doing was wrong.”
Matthew submitted six false prescriptions between September 2014 and June 2015 to obtain drugs worth £3,300.
She paid for the Botox by credit card, but in bypassing the doctor she avoided paying a “signature fee” for each prescription.
The court was told that Matthew was qualified to administer the treatment herself and that no one was harmed by her actions. She spent four years training to be a nurse, then two years completing a masters in public health while raising two children.
Judge Geraint Walters said Matthew had abused a position of responsibility. He added: “It was a shortcut you took that has led to life-changing consequences for you.”
Matthew was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.
