Charge dropped against nurse accused of faking Covid-19 jab

A nurse who was accused of pretending to administer a Covid-19 vaccine to a teenager has had her charge dropped in court.

Everyone is urged to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Picture: Frederic J. Brown/ AFP

A nurse who was accused of fraudulently recording a teenager had been given a Covid-19 vaccine when the jab was allegedly never administered has had her charge dropped in court.

Christina Hartmann Benz, 51, faced Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday when the charge of gaining benefit by fraud was discontinued.

She was also awarded court costs of $1500.

Police have dropped fraud charges against Christine Benz, a COVID nurse accused of putting the vaccination needle in her patients arm but not injecting the vaccine. Patients had been specifically requesting her which prompted her being reported to police @7NewsPerthpic.twitter.com/kJxq05FEmh

— Ben Downie (@Ben_Downie) December 7, 2021

No explanation was given in court.

In a statement, the WA Police Force said there was insufficient evidence for the case.

“Officers from the breach investigation team conducted further inquiries into the matter,” police said.

“As a result of those inquiries, further information was obtained and it was deemed there was insufficient evidence to continue a prosecution.”

A charge against Ms Benz was dropped. Picture: Daniel Leal/AFP

A previous court hearing was told up to 25 other patients may have been involved in the alleged deception.

Police had alleged at the time that Ms Benz inserted the needle into the teenager’s arm, but failed to administer the vaccine.

“It will be further alleged the syringe, with vaccine liquid still inside, was disposed of and a false entry was made on the medical records system indicating the teenager had received the dose of the vaccine,” police said at the time.