An accident and emergency doctor was on sick leave from her job. She has been accused of working at some other hospital during her fully-paid leave.

Lucy Dawson from Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport had been paid fully for her sick leave, which accounted for around £30,000. During that time, she served hospitals in Worcester and Gloucester and was able to earn another £7,840.

The 45-year old stated that she has been suffering from stress and depression, hence had been signed off from her job.

She claimed: "I had been singled out by hospital bosses for being a trouble-maker after blowing the whistle on a colleague who later became her boss".

The defense ruled out that Dawson was even depressed after she had a break-up with former boss Nick Jenkins, as a result of which she was even demoted.

Newport Crown Court heard that Dawson took sick leave for two periods. However, she claimed that she felt she had been allowed to work as stand-in doctor in Hereford and Worcester. She believed that it would help her recover fast and also would keep her clinical skills intact.

Prosecution emphasized that the lady did not inform her bosses at the previous hospital and even the officials at the new hospital.

Dawson affirmed that it was not for money that she did the job.