GOC warns convicted optometrist

An optometrist involved in an insurance fraud with his mother was given a warning by a fitness to practise committee of the General Optical Council (GOC) which will remain on his record for five years

Paramjit Singh was convicted of conspiracy to defraud in January 2006, at Wolverhampton Crown Court and given 200 hours of community service for an offence in relation to Lloyds TSB, West Bromwich Building Society and Norwich Union.

When he applied to join the GOC student register in 2005, Singh failed to declare he was the subject of criminal investigation. When applying for retention in three subsequent years and applying for full registration in 2008, Singh failed to declare his conviction. On completing an engagement form for his employer, Boots Opticians, and when applying for inclusion on the Wolverhampton City PCT ophthalmic list Singh also failed to disclose his conviction.