An NHS cashier from Bexley who used taxpayers’ money to fund Caribbean holidays and expensive dinners at the Oxo Tower has been jailed.

Brenda Money, 61, of Howard Avenue, fleeced more than £296,000 from Memorial Hospital in Shooters Hill, Woolwich.

After being found guilty of fraud by abuse of position, Money was sentenced to 30 months in jail at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday (March 20).

NHS investigators examined Money's bank statements and found a lifestyle way beyond her means.

Between January 2010 and October 2011 she spent nearly £12,000 on grocery deliveries from Ocado, more than £11,000 at Marks and Spencer, and £3,000 at John Lewis.

She also treated herself to holidays and cruises worth more than £15,000, including trips to Turkey, Hawaii and the Caribbean, and dined at the Oxo Tower.

Money also managed to make mortgage repayments of £46,000 and paid off credit cards and loans of £36,000.

Investigations found a direct correlation between cash received from Greenwich Council and deposits made in Money's bank account and that Money had been using the hospital’s petty cash fund as her own personal bank account.

The total loss to the NHS was £296,400.

NHS Protect managing director Susan Frith said: "Brenda Money's cynical dishonesty cost the NHS nearly £300,000 - which should have been spent on caring for patients.

"She abused her position of trust to enjoy a lifestyle that she clearly could not have afforded.

"This sentence will act as a deterrent against those who think stealing from the NHS is a victimless crime.

"All suspicions of fraud reported to NHS Protect will be followed up, and investigated where appropriate."