Woman sentenced for £63,000 fraud at GP practice

Antrim Crown Court

A woman from the Greysteel area has been sentenced for defrauding a medical practice in Limavady out of more than £60,000.

Seainin Cutter, 27, appeared before Antrim Crown Court today, Tuesday 30th September, where she was sentenced for 13 counts of fraud by abuse of position, making articles for use in fraud, fraud by false representation, and forgery.

Cutter was handed a 20-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years. She has also been ordered to repay £15,000 in compensation over the same period.

Detective Inspector Lavery said:

“Fraud was committed by Cutter at a GP family practice on the Scroggy Road between February 2023 and May 2023. Cutter had entered a guilty plea to all offences during an earlier court hearing.

“She was employed as a temporary reception manager in this busy GP practice, and defrauded the four GP partners who owned the practice out of approximately £63,000.

“The partners relied on Cutter to administer the practice on a day-to-day basis while they focused on tending to the needs of patients.

“However, over the course of a four-month period she employed a variety of fraudulent tactics, such as creating and modifying invoices in order that payments would be made to her own bank accounts.”

Police highlighted the wider impact of the crime, stressing the damage to both the GPs and the community they serve.

Detective Inspector Lavery continued:

“This case demonstrates how positions of trust can be abused. Cutter stole more than £60,000 from her employer, a GP practice that serves the people of Limavady.

“This loss has not only had an impact on the individual GPs but additionally the medical service they provide and could have placed vulnerable and unwell persons at risk.

“Her conviction and sentencing we hope should reassure the wider community that fraud will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”

The case highlights the risks of financial crime within trusted roles and the importance of oversight in medical and other professional practices.