A FORMER NHS boss lied to practice partners to pay herself an extra £450,000 in eight years, a court heard today.

Brenda Duncan, who was practice manager at Oak Lodge Medical Centre, in Edgware, appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court charged with six counts of taking huge amounts of money to top up her salary.

The 48-year-old, of Peterborough Road, Harrow, was arrested in February on suspicion of fraud.

The court clerk read out a list of sums allegedly claimed by Ms Duncan. It included two charges that she made false representations to payroll which resulted in her gaining payments of £236,419 and £109,909.

The court heard she also twice abused her position as practice manager to gain the £109,909 and an additional £35,453.

The other two charges relate to stealing almost £60,000.

Prosecution solicitor Priya Valentine said Ms Duncan had been in a “position of trust” and the case related to a “significant amount of money being taken”.

She asked for the case to be adjourned while the Crown Prosecution Service collated the final evidence from police, who were waiting on the NHS to provide further payment details.

Ms Duncan, dressed in a white blouse and turquoise trousers, sat in the dock throughout the hearing and only spoke to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

Her defence solicitor said she understood the reasons for the delay as it was “a big investigation and high value”.

She added: “Ms Duncan is a woman of good character. She has had proceedings hanging over her for some time.

“It is right the matter should get moving.”

Chair of the bench, Clive Lewisohn, ordered the paperwork to be in place by the time of Ms Duncan's next appearance at the same court, on August 6.

Turning to the defendant, who was released on conditional bail, Mr Lewisohn said: “If convicted, it would lead to a substantial prison sentence.”