14 Mar 2017

Man used forged documents to work as psychiatrist

12:15 pm on 14 March 2017

The man accused of working as a psychiatrist while using false qualifications has pleaded guilty to four charges.

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Photo: Wikicommons

Mohamed Shakeel Siddiqui, 54 had been charged with fraud for using another person's qualifications to work for the Waikato District Health Board.

Siddiqui worked at the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre in Hamilton between January and early July in 2015.

He pleaded guilty to charges of knowingly using forged documents, obtaining by deception, and claiming to be a health practitioner as an unqualified person.

Lawyer Jonathan Temm told the court that in entering the guilty plea, the Crown accepted Siddiqui did hold a degree in medicine.

He said he had been practicing in that field and has a PHD from the University of Arizona.

Siddiqui was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 11 April.

Health board chief executive Nigel Murray has said previously the man was able to pass through the Medical Council and the DHB vetting process.

He apologised and said the board needed to be "extra vigilant", but that no patients had been harmed.