A TEENAGER who conned her way into hospital and gave a bogus jab to a patient so she could “live out her dream” of being a doctor has been spared jail.
Kreuena Zdrafkova, 20, sported a stethoscope and medical gloves to trick patients into thinking she was a teen medic called ‘Dr Christina’.
The Bulgarian migrant, then aged 19, administered the “unknown substance” to the patient at Ealing Hospital, West London, on April 19 this year.
The victim had been brought to hospital under arrest and was flanked by two cops when the dodgy doc administered the bogus treatment.
She returned to the hospital three days later, kitted out in more medical gear, and was swiftly arrested.
Isleworth Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Zdrafkova was living out a fantasy because she “always dreamt of being a doctor”.
She admitted to common assault at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday and was slapped with a 12-month community order.
She has also been banned from entering any NHS premises unless it is an emergency.
Joe Weeks, prosecuting, said: “The defendant made two visits to Ealing Hospital in April 2024.
“On at least one of those visits she posed as a medical professional and administered something to a patient who was in police custody.
“She used a false name, identifying herself as Dr Christina.
“Under the pretence of medical help offered by Dr Christina, she was allowed to treat a patient.
“It appears that she administered something to his mouth from the footage but we don’t know of course whether there was something in the syringe, or what it was.
“Later, it became clear to the officers in the room that Dr Christina did not exist, and there would be a search for the real person who treated them.’
CCTV caught her in casual clothes and medical gloves, introducing herself to the unsuspecting cops while the victim lay unresponsive.
She then administered a syringe of an unknown substance into the patient’s mouth.
The patient was not harmed, but cops are still unaware of what was in the syringe.
That same day she was also clocked examining needles elsewhere in the hospital and even letting herself into an ambulance.
She returned to the hospital on April 22, this time with a stethoscope and some official-looking papers.
Harry Stallard, defending, told how Zdrafkova had been a child bride, marrying at 14, and had only recently moved to the UK with her husband.
Together they have two twins, aged six.
Mr Stallard said: “Perhaps as the result of becoming a mum at such a young age I submit that Miss Zdrafkova has missed out on some education opportunities.
“She has always dreamt of being a doctor and she hasn’t done that.” He admitted the case was “unusual” but insisted Zdrafkova had been “compassionate” in her treatment of her ‘patient’.
Mr Stallard went on: “It shows Miss Zdrafkova acting in quite a compassionate caring way.
“She’s talking to him, leaning down, almost reassuring him and providing the treatment.
“At one point she even has a tissue and is wiping his face.
“It really is almost living out her dream of being a doctor.” He instead laid the blame on blundering NHS staff for allowing someone off the street to get access to patients.
Mr Stallard continued: “It may be some concern that Miss Zdrafkova was able to access patients and medication so readily in an NHS hospital.” Passing sentence Judge Fiona Barrie said she Zdrafkova was lucky the patient was not badly hurt but she could “not have possibly known that”.
She went on: “The victim was vulnerable, he was intoxicated and restrained.
“He falsely believed he was being trained by a qualified doctor, not someone who had walked in off the street.
“You could have caused considerable psychological harm and it is not just the actual harm but the potential harm.
“This was evidently planned, you were posing as a doctor and you came dressed for the part.
“You had a stethoscope around your neck and the blue medical gloves.” She also claimed Zdrafkova had undermined the integrity of the NHS by posing up as a doctor.
Judge Barrie went on: “Paiteints should feel safe and secure that they are being treated by a qualified doctor.
“It seems that you harboured some dream of becoming a doctor but frankly, that cannot amount to mitigation.
“You were just 19 at the time and are now just 20, I accept your lack of maturity and naivety.
“Secondly I bear in mind you are a young woman of no previous convictions.” Zdrafkova, of Uxbridge Road, Ealing, had already spent 35 days behind bars on remand prior to sentencing.
Judge Barrie added: “I bear in mind the time that you spent in custody – 35 days I know that would have been difficult for you.
“I give you full credit for your plea, which reduces the starting point to a low-level community order.
“I feel ongoing support from probation would be beneficial for the protection of the public at large.”
She will also face 15 days of rehab activities and is banned from all NHS premises, except for her own GP or family emergencies.
