Trial of former NHS boss on fraud charges is set to begin

A JURY has been sworn in for the trial of a former chief executive of an NHS trust from Runcorn accused of siphoning off more than £20,000 to a firm run by her husband.

Paula Vasco-Knight, 53, denies three charges of fraud allegedly carried out in 2012 and 2013 when she was in charge of South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Her husband Stephen Vasco-Knight, 46, of The Seasons, Runcorn, denies fraudulently receiving money for work that had not been completed.

Habib Naqvi, 39, of Wells Road, Bristol, denies three charges of encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.

Recorder Don Tait told the jury: “This case will involve evidence originating from the South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.”

The judge adjourned the trial until 10am on Tuesday ( January 24), when prosecutor Thomas Evans was due to open.

Exeter Crown Court heard the allegations concern a payment of £9,000 to Mr Vasco-Knight’s company between October 2012 and April 2013.

Mrs Vasco-Knight, also of The Seasons, Runcorn, is accused of forwarding details of rival bids for a contract to produce leaflets to her husband in August 2013.

Mr Naqvi denies passing the details to Mr Vasco-Knight.

In December 2013, Mrs Vasco-Knight is alleged to have authorised a payment of £11,072 from the trust to her husband’s business for work which she knew had not been completed.

Mr Naqvi is said to have facilitated the payment of that money to Mr VascoKnight, who is accused of making a false representation by invoicing for work that had not been done.

The charges against Mrs Vasco-Knight allege that she ‘abused her position as chief executive officer of South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’.

Mrs Vasco-Knight, her husband and Mr Naqvi deny the seven charges against them.