A hospital doctor was suspended when she was discovered stealing clothes, sunglasses, and a handbag from Harvey Nichols and Harrods, respectively.
Dr. Sunita Sharma was detained after security personnel at Harvey Nichols in London’s Knightbridge discovered she had used scissors to remove security tags from products in the dressing room before attempting to steal them.
She neglected to notify the General Medical Council of the 2008 offenses, resulting in the 12-month ban.
A medical disciplinary tribunal was informed that she failed to disclose her criminal history, which was only discovered after she was later convicted of theft after a separate incident at a Lakeland store in Handforth, Cheshire.
In September of 2018, she was working as a junior clinical fellow at Manchester Royal Infirmary when the event occurred.
Dr. Sharma was taken to court for shoplifting many things, including a microwave bottle and travel bags.
Despite her not-guilty plea, she was found guilty of stealing in May 2019 at Stockport Magistrates Court, fined £286, and made to pay Lakeland £104.18 for the stolen items.
When she did report this issue to the General Medical Council, they uncovered the prior violations and 2008 caution.
Security personnel at Harvey Nichols in London’s Knightsbridge discovered she had used scissors to remove security tags from products in the dressing room before attempting to leave with them.
At the disciplinary hearing, it was stated, “Information was collected on the June 2008 incident involving the Metropolitan Police.”
“Dr. Sharma had used a pair of scissors to help remove tags from the items she had stolen, which was the essence of the ‘going equipped for stealing’ accusation.
Dr. Sharma was observed by security personnel at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London, exiting a dressing room at approximately 4:00 p.m.
‘Security officers inspected the cubicle and discovered a number of identical security electronic tags inside a pair of pants that had been left in the cubicle.
There were also a number of ticket price labels on the floor and a number of other goods, including a pair of sunglasses, located in the same pair of trousers.
The panel decided that she was guilty of misconduct for failing to notify the police caution to the GMC as required.
Regarding the thefts, the tribunal stated, “These were not spontaneous acts; they required preparation.”
“In reference to the incident in 2008, Dr. Sharma had carried scissors and used them to remove tags; in 2018, she brought a large bag with her to conceal the products she intended to steal from the store.” The Tribunal determined that these were grave issues.’
A hospital physician was suspended after being caught stealing a purse from Harrods (pictured)
Dr. Sharma, who received her medical degree in Rajasthan, India, before moving to the United Kingdom at age 30, stated at the court that she had been under personal pressure.
She stated that she was from a “wealthy” family in India and that her relatives were PhD-educated and highly accomplished in their occupations.
She said the tribunal that her family had high hopes for her to accomplish something “important” in life and that she had made “huge” sacrifices to become a physician.
The panel observed: “Dr. Sharma has exhibited acceptance and responsibility for her transgression.” She has also expressed an apology, regret, remorse, and shame for her transgression, as well as a realization of its significance.’
After carefully weighing all the considerations, the tribunal determined that a 12-month suspension was the most suitable and equitable sentence in this case.
Dr. Sharma’s actions, while significant, were not fundamentally incompatible with ongoing registration, the statement concluded.