Great Horton dentist is cleared of £10,000 fraud

Dr Mohammed Ashraf, who owns and operates the Great Horton Road Dental Practice, was overcome with emotion in the dock at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Afterwards, his solicitor spoke of the three-year ordeal Dr Ashraf endured before his name was cleared.

He was accused of submitting false claims for treatment carried out on NHS patients at his practice.

Dr Ashraf, 43, denied two allegations of making false representations and a third of stealing just over £1,600 belonging to the Bradford and Airedale Primary Care Trust.

Prosecutor Simon Clegg told the court Dr Ashraf was arrested in January 2009 for allegations of fraud which were alleged to have occurred between 2006 and 2008 and cost the NHS about £10,000.

The jury heard that Dr Ashraf’s contract with the NHS amounted to £357,403 a year, paid in monthly installments. In return, he had to carry out more than 14,000 “units of dental activity”, with more complicated treatments being awarded more units than a simple check-up.

Dr Ashraf, of Rydal Croft, Greenroyd Avenue, Halifax, was accused of submitting claims for treatments not carried out and making claims for more complicated work than that done.

He told the jury he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

After Dr Ashraf was cleared, his solicitor, Imran Younis, of Hurrairah Harris Solicitors in Halifax, said: “Dr Ashraf is overwhelmed with emotion and not in a position to make a statement at this stage.

“The three years during which the NHS counter fraud services investigated and prosecuted this case have taken their toll on Dr Ashraf and his family.

“The jury’s verdicts in acquitting him of any wrongdoing are a vindication of his innocence.

“Dr Ashraf was falsely accused of dishonesty and the jury’s verdicts prove that the case should never have been brought again him.

“Dr Ashraf has remained in practice throughout this trying time and continues to serve his patients, many of whom provided testimonials and letters of support in the trial.”