Social worker fraudulently worked at three councils

Beatrice Eduah was found to have been working at three different local authorities without each one knowing

A social worker who fraudulently worked at three different councils at the same time has been told she will have to pay back one of her employers.

Beatrice Eduah, 42, of Jaric Lane, Brampton, in Cambridgeshire, was an agency worker employed by Suffolk County Council's adult social care team.

But she also worked at two other local authorities, including Peterborough City Council, without any of them knowing of her additional employment.

She submitted timesheets claiming for the same hours with all three roles and was told at Cambridge Crown Court to pay back £17,668.53 to Suffolk County Council.

She pleaded guilty to one offence of fraud by abuse of position, relating to a period of June 2023 to November 2023.

Eduah appeared at court on Tuesday, but sentencing was deferred until 13 February. In that time, she was told she must acquire paid work and set aside money to make the repayment.

Beatrice Eduah, who appeared at Cambridge Crown Court, had lied about being abroad because of a family bereavement

Concerns were first raised by a recruitment agency in November 2023, who said Eduah had submitted timesheets for the county council and another authority for the same hours.

A criminal investigation found she had lied to her line manager about the need for unpaid time off on five separate occasions.

Reasons she gave included that she was abroad due to a family member's death when in fact she was in the UK working elsewhere.

On Tuesday, she was told she must have documentary proof of every role she applies for and any corresponding rejection letters.

If Eduah fails to comply, she could be brought back to court before February for an earlier sentencing hearing.