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Four men have been jailed for bribery and corruption linked to NHS contracts worth £6 million, following a major investigation at health boards in Scotland.

Alan Hush, 68, a former telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian, and Gavin Cox, 60, former head of infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire, were found guilty alongside businessman Adam Sharoudi, 41, and Gavin Brown, 48.

The convictions followed a trial at the High Court in Glasgow that lasted 65 days.

The offences, which took place between 2010 and 2017, included bribery and corruption under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Hush and Sharoudi were additionally convicted of fraud.

Sentences Handed Down

Hush was sentenced to 8 years in jail, while Cox was jailed for 6 years.

Sharoudi and Brown, directors of Ayrshire-based telecommunications firm Oricom Ltd, were jailed for 8 years and 7 years respectively when they were sentenced at the court on Thursday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said.

Judge Condemned ‘Grand Scale’ Corruption

In a sentencing statement later published online, Lord Arthurson said the public had a right to expect integrity from both officials and contractors. He described the corruption as being “on a grand scale”.

Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at COPFS, said the case involved “a sophisticated criminal scheme” against the health service in Scotland.

“The systematic abuse of position by public officials, who accepted inappropriate benefits including cash, holidays, and entertainment in exchange for contract advantages, strikes at the heart of public trust,” she said.

Corrins added that the digital evidence, including emails and text messages, was key to exposing the true nature of the arrangements.

The four men will now be subject to confiscation action under proceeds of crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained.

Brown and Sharoudi were also banned from being company directors for 10 years.

NHS Scotland Welcomed the Verdict

Gordon Young, head of NHSScotland Counter Fraud Services at NHS National Services Scotland, said: “This is a landmark conviction for fraud, bribery, and corruption of individuals who sought to exploit the NHS for personal gain.

“This successful prosecution reaffirms NHS Scotland’s commitment to safeguarding vital funds for patient care as intended by the taxpayer.

“These sentences send a strong and unequivocal message that fraud, bribery and corruption within the NHS will not be tolerated, and we will act decisively against anyone who threatens its integrity.”