Judge orders psychiatric evaluation of alleged medical imposter
A man who allegedly pretended to be a doctor is facing charges in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Linval Shaw, who is said to be of an Allman Town address, is facing charges of breaching the Medical Act and obtaining money by means of false pretences.
He reportedly made diagnoses, prescribed medications and collected money from two would-be patients, one of whom became suspicious after she sought a second opinion and was told that she did not have the condition for which she was being treated by Shaw.
According to the prosecution, between September and October of this year Shaw allegedly performed a medical examination on one complainant, whom he treated for a heart condition. Some time afterwards, however, the complainant went to a doctor and was told that she did not have the illness that Shaw was treating her for.
Shaw is also alleged to have been treating the son of another complainant. The court was told that he gave the boy an injection.
Following investigations by the police, it was determined that Shaw did not have a licence to practice medicine. He was subsequently arrested and charged.
Upon hearing the allegations against Shaw, presiding magistrate Judith Pusey decided that a psychiatric evaluation of Shaw was necessary.
“Is either he is a ginnal or a mad man. He can’t be both, so let’s eliminate one,” she said.
Pusey then scheduled the next hearing of the matter for November 24. Shaw was remanded into custody until then.
