Tudor Dumitru, 35, director of SSC Secure Transport Limited, received his sentence at Wood Green Crown Court on 20 October 2025. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.
He had previously pleaded guilty to a single charge of Bribery at Wood Green Crown Court on 5 August 2025.
The case also involved Pratik Patel, who was employed as a Transport Manager at UCLH.
It was alleged that, between September 2021 and May 2022, Dumitru made payments of £73,000 to Patel in return for the award of NHS contracts to transport patients on behalf of UCLH. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges under the Bribery Act 2010 against both Patel and Dumitru.
On 16 May 2025, Dumitru attended Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. Patel was due to appear at the same hearing but did not attend. The case was referred to Wood Green Crown Court and, on 17 May 2025, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that Patel had been found dead.
NHSCFA investigators will now use their powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to recover the funds.
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations at the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said:
“The sentencing of Mr Dumitru sends a clear message that bribery in the NHS will not be tolerated.
“By attempting to corrupt NHS systems for personal gain, he undermined trust in services that patients rely on. Today’s outcome should act as a warning to others who may consider similar offences.
“The NHS Counter Fraud Authority will continue to protect NHS resources and ensure that offenders are held to account.”