Woman sentenced over NHS thefts

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday how the trust made salary payments to Yvonne Atkinson, 29, even though she did not return to work after having a child.

Prosecutor Louise Azmi said that Atkinson had been employed by the Calderdale Primary Care Trust from February 2006, and that she received a salary of 14,037.

The court heard she stopped working for the trust on May 13 2007.

Mrs Azmi said: "In April 2008 the trust changed the system that they use to make salary payments.

"When the staff information was put onto the new system she began to receive salary payments that she was not entitled to."

Atkinson, of Leymoor Road, Golcar, Huddersfield, had earlier pleaded guilty to the theft charge and yesterday was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for a year.

She will also be subject to supervision by the probation service as part of the order.