Doctor guilty of perjury was a fool, says judge

But ordering Rohit Sinha to pay an additional 4,000 in costs yesterday, Judge James Spencer QC said his stupidity should not "blight the rest of his life" when he could have a positive influence on humanity.

Sinha was found guilty by a 10-2 majority at Leeds Crown

Court yesterday of perjury at Bradford Coroner's Court in May 2008.

He gave evidence under oath at the inquest into the death of retired debt collector Wanda "Jenny" Murphy about a visit she made to accident and emergency on August 13, 2007.

At the time he was a senior house officer at the hospital and he said he countersigned as a witness Mrs Murphy's signature on a self-discharge form.

Paul Williams, prosecuting, said it was the Crown's case that he had actually signed the form some days later after realising he had not done it at the time. "That was a false record and he knew it."

Mrs Murphy's signature was later found to be forged although it was not the prosecution case that had been done by the doctor.

Sinha, 31, of Hopton Drive, Sunderland, who is now working at a hospital in Newcastle, denied perjury.

Judge Spencer told him: "Anybody who goes to court and takes the oath or affirmation should tell the truth, that you did not do so on that occasion brings shame to you and your family after all the efforts they made for you and that's all now at risk."

"I'm quite satisfied that your actions were the actions of a fool, of a stupid young man who made an error and tried to cover it up."

He said instead of "coming clean" and owning up to his error he had continued with his "transparent lie" but it was clear from the doctors who had given character evidence in his support in glowing terms that he had matured and progressed.

The judge said he did not need to adjourn for reports on Sinha, a fine would remind him not to lie in court while he would pay towards the cost of two trials, the latest one being a retrial.

He said it would be up to the General Medical Council to decide whether he should remain as a doctor.

Michael Bowes QC defending Sinha thanked the judge for his generous attitude. He said Sinha was married to a trainee doctor "and the effects on them have been profound".