An alleged fraudster accused of cheating elderly people by claiming to be a qualified doctor and occupational therapist was helped into court after asserting that she was blind.
Kammi Bassi continued to give the appearance of being blind and deaf – even after it was revealed that she had been arrested at the wheel of a car.
Wearing dark glasses and using a white cane, Bassi, aged 57, of Woodside Avenue North, Coventry, had been assisted by security staff to get to the waiting area at Warwick Crown Court.
Once in court Bassi, most of whose alleged victims live in the Leamington area, appeared not to hear what was being said, and made no reply when asked to confirm her name.
Lucy Tapper, who had been due to defend her, was then asked into court, and told the judge: “She said if I was to come into court, she would not come in.”
Miss Tapper explained: “She made it clear she did not want anyone from John Onions Solicitors or John Onions himself. She said she wished to defend herself.”
And Judge Peter Cooke said: “I have received a written communication which says ‘Should, for any reason, I have John Onions forced upon me, it is my decision to represent myself in all courts of law and to act as my own advocate.”
Told by prosecutor Laura Culley that a trial date in March next year had been given, the judge indicated: “First we should attempt to have arraignment.”
Requested to stand, Bassi had to be prompted by the dock officer before doing so, and Judge Cooke told the court clerk: “She’ll pretend not to hear you.”
The first charge of fraud, alleging that between September and November 2016 Bassi had made false representations to a woman by claiming to be a qualified doctor and occupational therapist was then put to Bassi, who made no reply.
Judge Cooke commented: “As expected, the defendant is pretending she can’t hear.”
And he asked: “Am I right that she was arrested at the wheel of a car, and did not display any signs of being blind or deaf?”
That was confirmed by Miss Culley, who said: “We have seen her medical records, and she is neither blind nor deaf.”
The judge said he would formally enter not guilty pleas on Bassi’s behalf to that charge and the other nine charges she faces.
They include six further charges of fraud in which she is said to have variously claimed to be a qualified doctor, to have had a medical degree, and to be qualified occupational therapist, osteopath and physiotherapist.
Bassi also faces three further charges of supplying a prescription-only medical product, the anti-inflamatory drug Naproxen 500, when not qualified to do so.
Having been offered a hearing loop headset by the dock officer, Bassi said something to him.
Asked by the judge what she had said, the dock officer replied: “She says a loop won’t help her, and that she reads people’s lips.”
Adjourning the case for trial, Judge Cooke told Bassi: “This is your opportunity to persuade me that I should re-admit you to bail.”
When she still failed to respond, he ordered: “OK, remanded in custody. Take her down.” And Bassi was led away by the dock officer, apparently bemused by what was happening.
