“The sentenced doesn’t act as a deterrent.”

These are the words of a person who came into contact with a fraudster who posed as an NHS worker.

As previously reported in the Gazette Julie Ann Mills, of Ilsley Road, Sherborne St John, appeared in Winchester Crown Court on November 14 where she pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of theft.

The 45-year-old was arrested on September 9 following reports of a distraction theft at a house in Trinidad Close, Popley, where she was posing as an NHS worker.

Mills received a 20-month jail sentence which has been suspended for two years.

However, a woman who saw Mills fraudulent tactic first hand said the sentence means she “just continue doing what she was.”

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I think it is a bit ridiculous as it is not going to deter her [Mills] at all.

“I am sure that she has used this method to con more people out of money than the incident which went to court.”

The woman told the Gazette that she had first-hand experience of Mills when she approached her and her colleagues outside her work.

She added: “I first saw her when she was talking to our receptionist asking for money.

“Me and three of my colleagues were outside having a cigarette when she approached us, saying that she needed to get to Winchester to get her children, but the police had towed her car.

“I offered to let her use my phone or call her a taxi, but she was insistent on being given money.”

The woman continued: “We didn’t really think anything of it because she looked rather respectable and having her NHS card around her neck, I didn’t really think anything of it.

“It wasn’t until after the fact that I thought that things were a little bit odd.”

Mills was sentenced 20 months in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, 80 hours unpaid work and £165 in compensation.