Man stole £180k worth of drugs from surgery he worked at

The Market Surgery in Aylsham had £183,867 worth of drugs, including those used to treat prostate cancer, stolen.

Norwich Crown Court heard the medication was taken by Paul Brown, 52, who had used a false reference to get a job at the surgery as dispensary manager.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Brown had done so after the company he previously owned went into administration.

The defendant, who had a "significant number of debts", seized on an opportunity by stealing the drugs and selling them onto another surgery and a pharmacy who had believed they were purchasing the items legitimately.

Paul Brown (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Matthew Edwards, prosecuting, said having stolen the drugs Brown had made out he was a "legitimate medicine broker" but in fact went onto "sell stolen goods" for a total of almost £102,000.

The court heard an investigation was launched after discrepancies were discovered by the surgery manager in terms of profits being down from what they should have been.

Brown, of Spinks Lane Wymondham, appeared at court earlier this month having admitted theft between 2014 and 2016 and fraud.

Describing it as a "grave and terrible misadventure" Recorder Douglas Edwards sentenced Brown to two years and four months in prison. 

Rob Pollington, mitigating, said Brown was 43 at the time of the offences and had just gone through the liquidation of the company he owned.

As a result he said Brown had a "significant number of debts" and said it was the "beginning of a mental health breakdown" for the defendant.

Mr Pollington said Brown was "ashamed" and "very remorseful" for his actions of taking almost £184,000 and had used alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Detective Constable Dan Bowen said the offences "left vulnerable patients without essential medication"

He added:“He has had a considerable impact on his local community and those that trusted him."