A dentist who defrauded the NHS of more than £92,500 has been given a three-year jail sentence.

Dr Fariba Shameli, 55, who ran a surgery in Worthing, West Sussex, submitted 1,037 fraudulent claims for work between 2013 and 2018, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Shameli, who is living in Sweden, was sentenced in her absence at Lewes Crown Court earlier, after being convicted of four counts of fraud following two trials.

The judge said Shameli showed a "lack of honesty", while the CPS said it would try to recover the money and seek her extradition.

The court heard Shameli's fraud included 158 claims for treatment not carried out and 532 claims for work done by others.

The NHS opened an investigation when she issued a prescription without any patient details or practice stamp.

"The trial was about her lack of honesty," said Judge Joshua Swirsky. "She contrived to keep money paid to her for work she had not carried out."

He said the fraud, carried out over a five-year period, showed a degree of planning and sophistication.

Ben Harrison, head of operations and engagement at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said: "Fariba Shameli's actions represent a clear abuse of trust placed in her and undermine confidence in the health service.

"She received substantial funds that should have been used to support patients who rely on NHS services."

Ben Reid, a specialist prosecutor from the CPS, said: "Fariba Shameli systematically defrauded the NHS over a sustained period.

"For every pound of this fraud, a pound was taken from our NHS which could have gone towards patient care."

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