63-Year-Old British NHS Worker Who Stole £80k for Online Nigerian Boyfriend Spared Jail

A 63-year-old NHS administrator who stole £80,000 from her employer to send to an online boyfriend in Nigeria has avoided prison.

Hyacinth Blair, formerly an administrator at South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, transferred the funds between June 2021 and January 2023 to Michael Okafor, a man she had met online. She told the court she felt pressured to send the money and described feeling “helpless.”

At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Lynn Tayton KC sentenced Blair to two years in prison, suspended for two years, after she admitted fraud by abuse of position. The judge condemned Blair’s actions, saying they diverted funds from essential public services, caused distress to colleagues, and undermined trust in financial controls.

“This was sustained dishonesty,” Judge Tayton said. “The consequences will be felt for a long time, and the impact on staff and the community was severe.”

The court heard Blair initially told probation officers she “had no idea” why she stole the money, later claiming she was coerced by Okafor. She has since been diagnosed with depression and is unemployed, living on universal credit.

Taking into account her lack of previous convictions and positive character references, Judge Tayton opted for a suspended sentence. Blair must complete 250 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation activities, and six months of mental health treatment.

“You are fortunate,” the judge warned. “If you come back before this court, you will go to prison.”