Prison nurse who funded luxury lifestyle through drug boss boyfriend struck off
A love-struck nurse has been banned from working in the medical field after she struck up a relationship with an inmate and had his baby.
Georgia Harkness, from St Helens, whose father is former Liverpool football star Steve Harkness, fell for drug boss Ashley Blackett after they met in prison. The 27-year-old, who worked at Broadgreen Hospital, helped him run his criminal empire and splashed the money on designer clothes and jewellery.
As part of her new luxury lifestyle, she was able to drive an Audi A5 after the convict organised for money to be sent to her, Manchester Crown Court previously heard. She attempted to cover up her involvement by refusing to provide police with the PIN to her phone, but they eventually overcame the obstacle and were able to uncover incriminating material.
Ashley Blackett was serving time in prison when he struck up a relationship with the nurse (MEN MEDIA)After being convicted almost 12 months ago, the former Broadgreen Hospital nurse has now been barred from working in the medical sector, reports Liverpool Echo. She pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property, transferring criminal property, possession with intent to supply testosterone, a class C drug, and failing to comply with a section 49 by not telling police the PIN number to her mobile phone.
The former nurse avoided jail after a judge said she had no previous convictions. She was sentenced to two years, suspended for 24 months. She will now no longer be allowed to return to her career as a nurse, following sanction from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
A fitness to practise hearing was held in Harkness’ absence earlier this month to consider her case. Documents released from the session said the former nurse had been informed of proceedings in January. The panel heard Harkness “does not want to attend or [have] anything to do with this case. She says she either wants to be removed from the register or for this case to proceed without her.”
Georgia attended the hearing with her father Steve Harkness (Manchester Evening News)In August 2020, the NMC received a self-referral form from Harkness following her arrest the previous month regarding steroids found at her address and activity in her bank account. A referral was also received from Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Trust where she was employed.
Passing down sentence, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said he had hoped Harkness would be able to return to her career as a “good and conscientious nurse” after rehabilitation. He said it was clear she loved her job in the procession and had “thrived” but added if she were to continue her relationship “it is highly unlikely that you will be able ever to return to nursing because he will continue to be an influence and not a good influence on you.”
The NMC took a dim view on Harkness’ role in the relationship which led to her conviction, deeming striking her from the profession was necessary as they had received no evidence she no longer posed a risk to patient safety.
The document said: “The panel considered there to be high public interest in the circumstances of this case. The panel found that the charges found proved are serious. It was of the view that a fully informed member of the public would be concerned by its findings on facts. The panel concluded that public confidence in the nursing profession would be undermined if a finding of impairment was not made in this case.”
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