Two people have been sentenced at Northampton Crown Court after sensitive patient information was taken from Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire. Miryam Brand, a 27-year-old former healthcare assistant, and Montell Ashby, a 29-year-old prisoner, were both given suspended prison sentences on February 13, 2026, for their roles in the data breach.
Between 2023 and 2024, Brand used her staff access at the hospital to extract personal details including names, addresses, and dates of birth. This information was then shared with Ashby, who was serving time at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk. The breach was found in December 2023 after a mobile phone containing the stolen records was seized from a prison cell.
According to Northamptonshire Police, Brand received an 18-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, while Ashby received a 15-month sentence also suspended for 18 months. Both individuals must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work. Brand was arrested on September 13, 2024, and pleaded guilty to charges of unauthorised computer access and disclosing personal data without consent.
Detective Inspector Carrie Powers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said the investigation was complex and involved sensitive NHS information. She stated that this prosecution demonstrates the consequences of such actions. The hospital worked with the police to ensure that patient records are monitored and that any breaches are met with criminal charges.
This sentencing marks a significant case of using criminal law to address data theft within the local health service. Authorities hope the outcome will reassure the community that their confidential records are being guarded and that those who misuse them will be held accountable in court.
