A former clerical officer employed by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Eileen McMillan, has been prosecuted today at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court for accessing the sensitive medical records of 2 individuals, who were estranged family members, without the consent of the data controller. The records were accessed on numerous occasions over a 5 month period, when there was no business need to do so and the individuals’ new address was obtained. Eileen McMillan pleaded guilty to the offence under section 55 of the Data Protection Act and was fined £650, which was reduced from a £1,000 fine in order to give credit for an early guilty plea, ordered to pay costs of £653.75 and a victim surcharge of £65.