Truant worked as hospital cleaner

An investigation is under way today into how a 14-year-old girl managed to work illegally at a hospital when she should have been at school.

Darrianne Hoadley, one of seven children, skipped class to clean wards and offices at Milton Keynes General Hospital in Buckinghamshire.

She used false details and documents to get the job and had been truant for 15 weeks from Radcliffe School in Milton Keynes before she was finally found out.

Her deception was revealed after her mother, Alison Greenwood, was prosecuted by Milton Keynes Council for failing to ensure her daughter regularly attended school. Mrs Greenwood was convicted in her absence by Milton Keynes magistrates, fined £250 and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Darrianne played truant between January and May this year even though she was telephoned by education welfare officers daily - and despite the fact the family lived on school grounds in a caretaker's house. Milton Keynes General NHS Trust has launched an investigation into the way the teenager got the job at the hospital. A spokeswoman said Darrianne had worked for only a few shifts and was suspended as soon as the hospital realised she had lied.

She said Darrianne had given a false name, date of birth, address and had used another person's National Insurance number.

Milton Keynes South West MP Dr Phyllis Starkey said: "It is very disturbing that someone can fake their details so easily to be able to be employed at a hospital. It obviously creates concerns about other groups getting access. But what is probably of greater concern is the lack of responsibility of her parents."

Mrs Greenwood said she did not attend court because she was coping with the illness of her eightmonthold son, who is in hospital with a chest infection. The family have been evicted from their home and are living with relatives.