HOSPITALS across Lancashire are on alert after Paul Bint, who has been involved in a number of bogus doctor incidents, was released from prison.

Mr Bint, 37, left Preston Prison on Friday after completing his sentence.

It is not known where he is living, but he was in Blackburn on Saturday when he called in at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph office.

Last month he was arrested by detectives in the Barrowford area for breaching his licence conditions after being released by Preston Prison on parole.

He was taken back to finish his sentence, has now completed it and has been released without any conditions attached. Mr Bint was jailed in October 1994 after a series of theft and deception offences at hospitals.

He had tried to con his way into Blackburn Royal Infirmary in December, 1993, by asking for a doctor's bleeper and had tricked his way into the renal unit of the Royal Preston Hospital and sent a patient for treatment.

After his release from jail in August 1996 he was arrested again in London for stealing a sports car. Mr Bint was first released from prison ten weeks ago and has been trying to change his name to Lachlan Gates.

John Dell, operations manager for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, said the hospital had been informed about Bint's release.

"We are aware he is out of prison and we are taking appropriate precautions."

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