A DOCTOR has been accused of obtaining almost £400 by deception by charging for medical examinations of patients in his care.

Dr Laurence Sherman (46) worked at Greyland Medical Centre in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, until he was suspended by Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) earlier this month.

On Tuesday, Sherman, of Wentworth Avenue, Whitefield, was due to appear before Bury magistrates to face six charges of dishonestly obtaining cash, to the total of £380, from people for medical examinations of patients in his care.

But he failed to appear at the hearing due to sickness and his case was adjourned until January 5.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between February 1999 and March 2000, involving four patients he was treating.

Dr Sherman is accused of dishonestly obtaining cash by falsely representing that he was authorised to levy a fee for a medical examination or injection.

It is alleged he obtained: £35 from Victoria Herman on October 14, 1999; £75 from Janet Muncaster on February 6, 1999; £50 from Rochell Stoll on March 20, 2000; and on February 23, February 24 and April 25, 2000, he allegedly obtained payments of £80, £80 and £60 from Stephen Johnson.

Sherman was suspended from his post for a period of four months by Bury Primary Care Trust on November 9.

Arrangements were made for a locum GP to continue working at Greyland Medical Centre in his absence.