Finger on the Pulse: Hospital Fails to Recognise Male Posing as Female Nurse

A Cheshire Hospital, which has somewhat of a chequered history, is making the headlines again after it failed to recognise that a male had turned up to complete the shifts of a female agency nurse.

Lucius Njoku, 33, of Oliver Lane, Ellesmere Port, admitted an offence of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, 19th September 2025.

Fraud by false representation is an offence under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment. You can read more about fraud by false representation in my earlier guide to the offence.

Magistrates heard that Njoku completed several shifts at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 16th February and 25th April 2024. He did so in the name of co-accused female nurse Joyce George, who has since fled to Nigeria and has no plans on returning to face justice.

Anthony Carey, prosecuting, said concerns were first raised by a patient who had spoken to Njoku, who had identified himself as "I am Joyce and I am a man".

A check of CCTV footage confirmed that Njoku had worked several shifts at the hospital, including a number within in the A&E.

Police attended the address of George and found Njoku in her presence. Both were arrested and provided "no comment" interviews. Mobile phones seized from the pair contained text messages relating to shifts at the hospital.

Mr Carey told the court that Joyce would be assigned work by her agency, which she would then forward on the Njoku.

Steven Alis, mitigating, confirmed that his client, who is not a registered nurse (and is now never likely to be), "had completed all the relevant training" and "was qualified".

Mr Alis said that his client has been asked to help out with the shifts by "family friend" George. He expressed surprise that the hospital had failed to spot a male working under the guise of a female nurse.

Magistrates ordered the completion of a pre-sentence report.

Njoku was granted unconditional bail until his sentencing on Friday, 17th October 2025 - so it's to be hoped he doesn't join George in Nigeria in the meantime.

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