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Fake medical certificates cost the Metropolitan Police nearly £20,000
A former Metropolitan Police employee admitted forging medical certificates to justify around 200 days of absence from work over nearly two years. Natasha Fountain, 29, pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after submitting falsified sick notes to her line manager between November 4, 2022, and May 3, 2024. The scheme cost the Metropolitan Police approximately £19,000, according to the court. Fountain had worked as a communications and engagement officer for the force between June 2022 and August 2024. She worked for the force from June 2022 until August 2024, according to HR Grapevine. she subsequently submitted forged documents between November 4, 2022, and May 3, 2024 Although her first sickness absence was supported by a legitimate medical note. These certificates enabled her to claim approximately 200 days of sick leave. Fountain, who appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court by video link in March 2026, admitted committing fraud by misrepresentation. The fraudulent sick notes resulted in an estimated £19,000 cost to the Metropolitan Police, the court heard. Fountain pleaded guilty to fraud by misrepresentation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in March 2026.
Fountain was granted unconditional bail and was due to return to Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 20, 2026, for sentencing, according to HR Grapevine’s March 26 report. HR Grapevine reported that her initial sickness absence was supported by a genuine medical certificate before she began submitting forged documents. HR Grapevine reported that the documents had been used to justify her prolonged absence from the force.
District Judge Briony Clarke described the fraud as “quite sophisticated”, explaining that Fountain had gone beyond simply lying by actively forging documents. The judge said further information was needed about Fountain’s health during the period in question. The judge said that any genuine medical conditions affecting her ability to work could be relevant to the sentencing decision.
Fountain, a former communications and engagement officer at the Metropolitan Police, submitted fraudulent medical certificates to justify extended periods away from work. Prosecutors raised concerns about the authenticity of the documents, including inconsistencies involving the GP practice that supposedly issued them. There was no record of appointments between Fountain and her GP practice during the relevant dates. The practice had also changed its address, but the correspondence presented by Fountain did not reflect that change. These discrepancies formed part of the evidence surrounding the forged medical certificates. The court also heard that Fountain had experienced physical and mental health difficulties, including severe anxiety. Her condition reportedly prevented her from returning to her GP to obtain ongoing treatment and genuine medical certificates. She indicated that the court should examine whether genuine medical conditions had affected her ability to work, rather than considering the fraud without that context. District Judge Briony Clarke delayed sentencing to allow further information about her health at the time of the offences to be gathered. The report did not provide the outcome of that later hearing.