Man jailed for posing as medical student at hospital fails to appear for sentencing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 14:24 · Archive

Stephen Simpson failed to appear for sentencing after admitting he posed as a medical student at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for nearly two months.

Stephen Simpson, 22, admitted fraud after spending nearly two months posing as a medical student at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Between 9 December 2023 and 26 January 2024, he gained access to hospital wards and patients' files while wearing medical scrubs, NHS-branded clothing and carrying a stethoscope and pager. He deceived hospital employees into believing he was an authorised medical student, allowing him to access restricted areas and staff-only zones. He also admitted stealing NHS branded clothing, a pager and perfume.

Simpson was due to be sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court but failed to appear. Sheriff William Summers issued an arrest warrant after his non-appearance. This was Simpson's second failure to attend sentencing; he had previously failed to appear on 29 October, attributing his absence to a migraine without providing medical evidence.

Sheriff Summers indicated that a custodial sentence was 'highly likely' given the gravity of the offences. The Press and Journal reports that the sheriff ordered a restriction of liberty order assessment to be carried out once Simpson is apprehended, noting that the only alternative to custody would be an electronic tag. Simpson has previous convictions for similar offences.

How it is being reported

• Arrest warrant for Aberdeen hospital imposter after second sentencing no-showStephen Byres Simpson, 22, who admitted posing as a medical student at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, has failed to attend court for sentencing for a second time.Press and Journal · 5 Nov, 13:50
• Man who posed as medical student at hospital fails to appear for sentencingStephen Simpson was due to be sentenced after admitting carrying out the fraud at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.BBC North East Orkney And Shetland · 5 Nov, 11:59

In this story: Stephen Simpson · Aberdeen Royal Infirmary · Aberdeen Sheriff Court · Sheriff William Summers · Aberdeen

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