A SURGEON who lied about his experience during an interview to secure a job at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital, has been jailed for six years.

Sudip Sarker stood motionless as Judge Robert Juckes QC passed the sentence after an hour long hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Monday.

The 48-year-old had denied making a false representation to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust so he could secure the £80,000 a year job at the Alex Hospital.

But on Friday a jury found him guilty, agreeing with the prosecution's case that Sarker exaggerated his experience in laparoscopic surgical procedures in his interview.

During the sentencing hearing prosecutor Jacob Hallam told the judge that after doubts were raised about Sarker's ability he was observed and an operation was stopped, with him later being suspended.

Mr Hallam also pointed out Sarker had a higher mortality rate of patients operated on compared to two other Alex surgeons working in the same environment, with the same equipment.

Defence barrister Martin Hicks highlighted Sarker was a man of no previous convictions and of previous good character.

He said since 1991 Sarker had "performed a great service to the medical profession".

In appealing to the judge for the lowest possible sentence Mr Hicks added: "The prison regime is going to be particularly hard on him."
In passing sentence Judge Juckes said Sarker, of Botany Road, Broadstairs in Kent, had a high level of culpability because he had been in a position of trust, carrying out operations that put people's lives at risk.

Judge Juckes said: "You told highly significant lies. You grossly exaggerated your experience."

The judge said the trust had been a victim as it had so far paid out nearly £2 million to settle the claims of patients operated on, and the trust's reputation had also been damaged.

As well as the six year sentence, the judge said Sarker is likely to return to court for a hearing on the financial matters of the case, in the spring.

A spokesman from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust welcomed the verdict and sentence.