By Eric King-
A “fantasist” who posed as a doctor to con elderly people out of money and prescribed them potentially dangerous medicine, has been jailed for three years after being convicted for fraud last month.
Kammi Bassi from Coventry, who feigned blindness in court also pretended to be a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and chiropractor.
Warwick Crown Court heard the 58-year-old had “an almost insatiable need for attention and love”.She was also convicted of supplying prescription-only medicine. Her victims from across the West Midlands were made to pay for massages and home help work after she contacted them, the prosecution said.
Evil Bassi gave her own prescription drugs, the anti-inflammatory Naproxen 500 which had a potential side effect of gastro-intestinal bleeding, to three people. One woman was said to have taken seven tablets before consulting others who advised against them, the court heard.Bassi, of Woodside Avenue North, claimed to be a doctor and an osteopath to a woman she met in a Lloyd’s Chemists branch and said she had noticed she was limping and could help her.At court on Thursday. Bassi refused to return to the dock after reports had been prepared on her ahead of sentencing, which occurred in her absence.
FAKE
Bassi attempted to fake blindness and deafness during her trial, but was caught out. During her trial she had appeared in the dock in a wheelchair with a hearing aid, dark glasses and a white stick, but Judge Sarah Buckingham said she had no condition affecting her hearing or sight.
Sentencing Bassi in her absence Ms Buckingham said prescribing drugs “when you are not qualified can be extremely dangerous”.
“Your conduct was motivated not so much by money, although you were determined to be paid, but out of a deep-seated desire to be respected for skills you simply didn’t have.
“But you did demonstrate a reckless disregard for their safety.”
Bassi was also given a restraining order banning her from having any contact with her victims or their families, and a criminal behaviour order.
Image: Warwickshire Police