Ms Caine had been seen on several occasions at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, wearing hospital scrubs, and carrying a clipboard and stethoscope. When questioned by hospital staff, she claimed she was a doctor and was there as a part of her "doctor training."
On January 16, she spent seven hours posing as a doctor in Accident and Emergency, major surgery, pediatric and maternity wards before being arrested by police. A later search of her house in Stevenage found a host of stolen medical supplies including surgical scrubs, bandages and blank hospital paperwork.
Like…. Impersonating a doctor is not allowed, so why should randos be allowed to give the impression they also know lifesaving abilities
— Robin Holde (@robin_malia) June 8, 2016
At a hearing in Stevenage Magistrates' Court, she pleaded guilty to impersonating a doctor and theft. Chairman of the bench Leah Bretton said:
"For the theft we are fining you £135 (US$194), for each of the charges of impersonating a doctor we are fining you £100 (US$143)… You must also pay a victim surcharge of £20 (US$29) and a contribution towards the court costs of £85 (US$122)."
Acquaintances of Ms Caine have since suggested that her actions were not necessarily malicious — and she didn't have any actual patient contact — she simply wanted to give the impression that she was a doctor in order to make herself feel more important.
The Medical Act of 1983, states that it is a criminal offense to: "wilfully and falsely pretend to be or use the name or title of physician." Furthermore, the Fraud Act of 2006 also makes it an offense to be "Dishonestly making a false representation to make a gain for oneself or another or to cause loss to another or to expose another to a risk of loss."
Ms Caine has been released on conditional bail, and is subject to a complete ban on entering buildings — or grounds — of any medical facilities in the UK, other than for "genuine medical emergencies".
