Police in Warsaw have detained a 60-year-old woman who taught in primary and elementary schools for nine years on false papers.

The woman has been accused of fraud, which carries an eight-year sentence if found guilty.

“A few months ago a director of a school in [Warsaw district] of Bialoleka informed the government school administrator about the teacher, who was allegedly using false university diplomas,” Warsaw police spokeswoman Edyta Adamus told the Polish Press Agency.

Police discerned that thanks to false diplomas issued by higher education establishments in Wroclaw, south-west Poland, the woman taught biology and English in as many as eleven schools in Warsaw and the surrounding area.

The 60-year-old has admitted to using the false diplomas, although has refused to explain her motives. (jb)