Two sentenced for misuse of hospital data at Kettering General Hospital
Sensitive patient information shared between healthcare assistant and prisoner
Two individuals have been sentenced in connection with data breaches at Kettering General Hospital.
Miryam Brand, 27, a healthcare assistant, accessed internal databases between 2023 and 2024 and passed confidential information to Montell Ashby, 29, a prisoner at HMP Highpoint, Suffolk.
The sensitive data included names, dates of birth, and addresses of patients known to Ashby.
The breaches came to light in December 2023 after a mobile phone seized from Ashby's cell was found to contain these unauthorized records.
Investigations led to Brand's arrest on 13th September 2024, where she was charged with multiple offences including disclosing personal data without consent and unauthorized computer access.
Ashby faced charges for possessing unauthorized data inside prison.
Both individuals pleaded guilty to their charges at Northampton Crown Court in December last year.
They returned to the court on 13th February to receive their sentences.
Brand, previously from Southwick Close, Kettering, received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, alongside 120 hours of unpaid work.
Ashby was given a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and also instructed to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Inspector Carrie Powers from Northamptonshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “This has been a complex investigation and I am pleased that it has now concluded.
"This case involved the disclosure of sensitive NHS information and this prosecution demonstrates the consequences of such actions.
"Finally, I’d like to thank Kettering General Hospital for their support throughout our investigation, it has been greatly appreciated.”