Police are searching for a 22-year-old man who gained access to hospital wards and patients' files for several weeks while pretending to be a medical student, after he failed to appear for sentencing.
Stephen Simpson, from Aberdeen, was due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, but a warrant for his arrest was issued by Sheriff William Summers after his non-appearance. Defence solicitor Laura Gracie told the court she had been in contact with Simpson. Simpson also failed to appear for sentence last week due to a migraine, and sentence had been further deferred.
Simpson had previously admitted the fraud, which took place at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024. He wore medical scrubs, NHS-branded clothing, a stethoscope and a pager, and induced employees to let him remain in the hospital, giving him access to restricted areas, staff-only areas, wards and medical files.
He also admitted stealing items of NHS-branded clothing, a pager and perfume. He originally faced six charges, one of fraud and five of theft, and last month Gracie said her client was pleading guilty to two amended charges.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Patients' files and restricted hospital areas were accessed by someone with no medical credentials over several weeks, raising questions about security checks at NHS sites.
- A man who admitted the fraud is now being sought by police after failing to attend sentencing.
- The case highlights how impersonation can give access to sensitive hospital environments.
Background
Simpson admitted his offending in court last month. He was due to be sentenced twice, with the first hearing deferred after he said he had a migraine. Under Scottish criminal procedure, a warrant can be issued when someone fails to appear in court.
What to Watch
- Whether police trace and arrest Simpson, who is the subject of the warrant.
- Whether sentencing is eventually completed and what sentence the court hands down.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA warrant was issued after Stephen Simpson failed to appear for sentencing for posing as a medical student at an Aberdeen hospital.STV News: “A man who posed as a medical student at an Aberdeen hospital to access restricted wards and files has failed to appear for sentencing.”
- SupportedSimpson admitted fraud.BBC Scotland: “Stephen Simpson previously admitted carrying out the fraud at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024.”
- SupportedHe gained access to hospital wards, staff-only areas and patients’ files while pretending to be a medical student.BBC Scotland: “He induced employees to allow him to remain in the hospital and gain access to restricted areas and medical files, staff-only areas and wards.”
- SupportedPolice are searching for Simpson, who is 22 and from Aberdeen.BBC Scotland: “Police are searching for a man who gained access to hospital wards and patients' files for several weeks while pretending to be a medical student, after he failed to appear for sentencing. [...] The 22-year-old [...] Simpson, from Aberdeen”
- SupportedSimpson accessed the hospital for several weeks while pretending to be a medical student.BBC Scotland: “Police are searching for a man who gained access to hospital wards and patients' files for several weeks while pretending to be a medical student”
- SupportedDefence solicitor Laura Gracie told the court she had been in contact with Simpson.BBC Scotland: “Defence solicitor Laura Gracie told the court she had been in contact with Simpson, but he failed to appear.”
- SupportedSimpson had also failed to appear for sentence the previous week because of a migraine, and sentencing was further deferred.BBC Scotland: “Simpson also failed to appear for sentence last week due to having a migraine, and sentence had been further deferred.”
- SupportedThe fraud took place at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024.BBC Scotland: “Stephen Simpson previously admitted carrying out the fraud at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024.”
- SupportedSimpson wore medical scrubs, NHS-branded clothing, a stethoscope and a pager.BBC Scotland: “The 22-year-old accessed the hospital while wearing medical scrubs, NHS branded clothing, a stethoscope and a pager.”
- SupportedHe induced employees to let him remain in the hospital and access restricted areas, staff-only areas, wards and medical files.BBC Scotland: “He induced employees to allow him to remain in the hospital and gain access to restricted areas and medical files, staff-only areas and wards.”
- SupportedHe admitted stealing NHS-branded clothing, a pager and perfume.BBC Scotland: “He also admitted stealing items of NHS branded clothing, a pager, and perfume.”
- SupportedSimpson originally faced six charges—one of fraud and five of theft—and Gracie said last month that he was pleading guilty to two amended charges.BBC Scotland: “He originally faced a total of six charges - one of fraud and five others of theft. Last month Gracie said her client was pleading guilty to two amended charges .”