A 46-year-old man who posed as a registered nurse has been sentenced to 40 months in prison after defrauding UK nursing homes of over £170,000.
Ashton Guramatunhu, of Middlepark Road, Dudley, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday (2 December 2025), where he pleaded guilty to a single count of fraud by false representation.
📝 How the Scam Worked
- In late 2014, Guramatunhu registered with a nursing agency based in Warrington using a stolen identity — that of a genuine registered nurse.
- Over the next four years (2015-2019), he worked at six different nursing homes across North-East England.
- During this period, it is estimated that he earned £172,920.94 from the fraudulent employment.
🚨 Risk to Vulnerable Patients
Despite his lack of official qualifications and previous criminal convictions — which should have barred him from employment in the care sector — Guramatunhu was often the only “nurse” present on duty. He administered medication and injections, and handled sensitive patient care tasks.
Authorities warned that his deception had put innocent and vulnerable patients at serious risk.
🔎 How He Was Exposed
The fraud unraveled in January 2019 when the real nurse — whose identity had been stolen — was contacted by the regulatory authority regarding a care-home incident in which he was never involved. This triggered an investigation by Cleveland Police, later transferred to Cheshire Police.
Guramatunhu fled the UK in April 2019, but returned via Heathrow in February 2020. He was arrested after authorities confirmed a warrant for his arrest.
⚖️ Court Verdict
The court heard that while Guramatunhu performed “competently” in his duties at times, his use of a false identity made him unfit to practise. The judge emphasized that, as a man with previous convictions, he “had no right” to be working as a nurse — especially given the vulnerability of the patients under his care. He was handed a 40-month sentence.
Detective Constable Naomi Sargent, who led the investigation, said:
“He put the lives of innocent patients at risk purely for his own financial gain, and I have no doubt he would have continued offending had he not been arrested.”
This case sends a strong warning to others who may consider similar scams — in the care sector or beyond — and underscores the importance of thorough vetting in healthcare employment.
