Doctor who lied to coroner was a 'stupid young man'

Rohit Sinha, who worked at Dewsbury and District Hospital, will pay 4,000 costs and a 1,000 fine.

Leeds Crown Court heard he lied at the inquest of Wanda ‘Jenny’ Murphy, a widow from Brunswick Street, Westborough, in 2008.

She was seen by Sinha, of Hopton Drive, Sunderland, at Dewsbury and District Hospital after being taken ill, and allegedly signed a self-discharge form and went home on August 13 2007.

But after her family complained to the hospital, claiming she had not discharged herself, an inquiry was launched.

The court heard Sinha, 31, then signed the form, after realising he should have done so at the time.

Mrs Murphy fell and broke her neck at home, and died in hospital on September 1.

Sinha was found guilty of lying about the date he signed the form at Mrs Murphy’s inquest.

Judge James Spencer QC told him: “You were a fool. Just how much of a fool you will realise.

“Anybody who goes to court and takes that oath or affirmation should tell the truth.

“That you did not do so on that occasion brings shame to you and your family.

“You are a stupid young man who made an error and tried to cover it up. Mercifully there were no consequences to anybody, nor were there likely to be. You continued that lie instead of coming clean and owning up to your error.”

He said doctors who appeared in court as character witnesses had spoken ‘glowingly’ of Sinha’s progress at work.

The General Medical Council will now decide if Sinha can continue to be a doctor.

The judge added: “The GMC will consider everything that’s happened, but I believe a young man’s stupidity should not blight him for his whole life when he’s been such a positive influence to humanity.

“I do not need to do anything to punish you; you have punished yourself sufficiently.

“I hope this has been a lesson.”

Michael Bowes QC, defending Sinha, said he never told the coroner he had ‘definitely’ signed the card on August 13.

He said Sinha was married to a trainee doctor who had been profoundly affected by the trial.