A doctor has been convicted of stealing painkillers from the hospital where she worked.
Hannah Ruth Roberts, 39, of High Street, Halstead, admitted one charge of theft when she appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 17th January 2020.
Theft is an either way offence contrary to section 1 of the Theft Act 1968. The maximum penalty for theft is 7 years in custody. We have previously written an article on the legalities surrounding theft.
Staff at Colchester General Hospital noticed that prescription only painkillers, which were stored securely under lock and key, were mysteriously disappearing from the drugs cabinet.
An internal investigation was launched and alternative security measures were introduced, which meant staff could only access the store room using a swipe card. Access records were cross-referenced against drug losses, which resulted in the finger of blame pointing squarely at Roberts.
Suspicions were also raised when Roberts arrived at work and was acting so erratically she was sent home.
Colleagues believed her actions were consistent with the side-effects of codeine.
The police were called and Roberts was arrested when a search of her car yielded packaging from the stolen drugs.
Roberts admitted stealing £105.66 worth of the opioid analgesic dihydrocodeine over a 15-day period in June 2019.
Frank O'Toole, mitigating, said Roberts was facing "dire consequences" whatever punishment was handed down because she was facing sanctions by the General Medical Council and could ultimately be struck off.
"The issue appears to have started following a severe toothache," Mr O'Toole told Magistrates.
"She bought over-the-counter painkillers which did not seem to do the trick.
"She should have gone to her GP for a prescription but didn't want to distract from her own work.
"As a result, unfortunately, she drifted into a situation where she took medication from the cupboard.
"She knows what she was doing was wrong - she had taken a dreadful risk and it now comes home to bite."
Martin Stuchfield, Presiding Justice, said Roberts had crossed a line.
"You could have so easily gone to the dentist - or even A&E - to receive treatment," he said.
Roberts was handed a 12-month community order with 250 hours unpaid work requirement.
She was also ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £145 towards prosecution costs.
The General Medical Council has imposed interim restrictions on Roberts' registration that limit her prescribing abilities and employment opportunities.
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