Stitched up: 9 month jail term for fraudster surgeon

After an attempt to defraud his insurance company ended up a complete washout, a successful Glasgow surgeon now faces nine months in prison and the prospect of never practicing medicine again.

Two days after a his house was flooded when a pipe burst back in January – damaging his and the neighbouring property - 50-year old Ramesh Gupta took out an insurance policy to cover the £25,000 damage. A month later he pretended the accident had only just happened and made a bogus claim.

Mr Gupta was caught out when the neighbour confirmed the real date of the accident but tried to fend of the accusations by claiming that he simply wanted to alert the insurance company to the incident – not make a claim.

Sheriff Nigel Ross told Mr Gupta, a £100,000 a year surgeon, that only a prison sentence would be appropriate. “This was a deliberate attempt at fraud. I fully understand this will affect your career and family in a very serious manner,” said Mr Ross in handing Mr Gupta a nine month jail term.

Jane Peters, head of Operations at AGS Risk Solutions said: “At a time of desperation, unforeseen accidents can push people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise have considered. But whether it is ill thought-out and out of character, or carefully planned and executed, household fraud is entirely unacceptable.”

Mr Gupta’s lawyer said family pressures had driven the doctor to breaking point. He added: “He will pay an enormous price for what he has done in terms of his professional career.”