Recently released criminal poses as medical student

A recently released criminal who donned a white coat and stethoscope while on hospital grounds pretended to be a medical student when confronted by a Corrections Officer, police say.

Convict Peta Edwards, 26, went in disguise to Wellington Hospital yesterday, raising alarm bells with staff and authorities.

After receiving word of Edwards' appearance, Wellington police notified the district health board who then put out an email alert to all staff.

Police spokesman Nick Bohm today revealed Edwards was found because he had spoken to a Corrections Officer at the hospital.

"While the Corrections Officer was in Wellington Hospital, he has spotted Mr Edwards in the medical school in a white lab coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

"He's had a bit of a chat to him and he's[Edwards] said he was studying or doing something like that.


"He [officer] thought that was pretty unusual and was aware of his recent release from prison and the release conditions that he had."

The officer has then alerted police to Edwards' presence, Mr Bohm said.

"Since then, we have been working with the hospital. They are reviewing all of their CCTV footage.

"We remain unsure as to whether Mr Edwards was actually impersonating a doctor, or was probably more likely using that kind of costume to gain access to areas of the hospital he would not have access to and perhaps undertaking some sort of opportunistic crime."

Police were currently working to trespass Edwards' from the hospital, Mr Bohm said.

While he is not believed to be a risk to the public, people should remain cautious if they see him.

Edwards' past behaviour indicates he would have been most likely to target people's personal items such as handbags and cell phones while at the hospital, Mr Bohm said.

Any thefts that may have taken place would show up in the CCTV footage.

A Capital and Coast DHB spokesman said there had been no sightings of Edwards since yesterday.

"He did not have any interaction with patients and was just seen in public areas."

nzherald