Thieving Pharmacy Assistant Stole Prescription Medication

Not for the first time, a thieving pharmacy assistant stole prescription medication from her employers.

Debbie Monaghan, 43, of Kremlin Drive, Liverpool, admitted offences of theft by employee and possession of a controlled drug when she appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Friday, 6th September 2024.

Theft is an offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968. The maximum penalty for theft is 7 years' custody on conviction on indictment, 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction. We have previously written an article on the legalities surrounding theft.

Magistrates heard that the dishonest single mum stole £1,320 worth of stock from her employers, Lloyd's Pharmacy in Widnes.

Monaghan was also found in possession of dihydrocodeine, a controlled drug of class B, when her thievery was discovered on Tuesday, 26th March 2024.

In December 2023 she was made subject to an 18-month community order after being convicted of stealing stock from another pharmacy, Melwood Pharmacy in Liverpool.

On that occasion, she told the court that she had stolen medication to help with weight loss and sleeping problems.

She denied, as she would, the Crown's assertion that the goods were stolen to sell on for profit.

Monaghan has yet another conviction for theft by employee dating back to 2018.

Turning back to the matter at hand, Magistrates were of the view that Monaghan's offences were a serious breach of trust - so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. They also noted that the latest offences were committed when she was subject to the earlier order.

However, given her caring responsibilities and timely guilty plea they elected to suspend the custodial term.

Monaghan was sentenced to 29 weeks' custody suspended for 2 years, with the requirement that she completes up to 15 days' rehabilitation activity.

She was also ordered to pay £750 in compensation to Lloyd's Pharmacy. In light of her limited financial means, the court gave priority to compensation by reducing the surcharge to zero and awarding no prosecution costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the seized dihydrocodeine.

There might be some truth in the rumour that Monaghan has sleeping problems, as she clearly can't lie straight in bed at night.

She is very lucky to have walked out the front door of court on this occasion.

Despite being an abysmal role model to her child, the court has clearly taken the view that her maternal presence is of some benefit.