THE former chief executive of Torbay Hospital is due to appear in court this morning charged with fraud.

Paula Vasco-Knight, 52, is charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

The charges relate to her role as chief executive officer at South Devon NHS Foundation Trust between October 2012 and April 2013.

It is alleged Vasco-Knight dishonestly abused that position intending to make a gains of £9,000 and £11,000. The allegations are contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

Vasco-Knight, of The Seasons, Runcorn, Cheshire, is due to appear before magistrates in Torquay on Thursday morning.

Also due to appear is Stephen Vasco-Knight, 45, of the same address. He faces one charge of fraud by false representation according to the Fraud Act 2006.

A third defendant, Habib Naqvi is also due to appear at the same court.

Naqvi, 38, of Wells Road, Bristol, has been charged with three offences of encouraging/ assisting in the commission of an offence in breach of the Serious Crime Act 2007.

A spokesman for Torbay and South Devon Healthcare Trust said: “We have now seen the charges against Ms Vasco-Knight. Whilst they reference South Devon Healthcare, as far as we are aware they do not relate to trust business. We understand that they relate to the national role held by Ms Vasco-Knight whilst she was chief executive with us. We are unable to comment further as legal proceedings are now underway, but will be able to do so once sub judice restrictions are lifted.”