Former Craigavon Hospital worker, who admitted taking prescription co-codamol from his work place, guilty of drug possession
A Co Armagh man, who admitted taking pharmaceuticals from his place of work – Craigavon Hospital – pleads guilty to drug possession.
The 50-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday.
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Paul Cranston, of Levaghery Close, Portadown pleaded guilty to two charges, possessing the Class B controlled drug co-codamol on February 14 and February 23 this year.
Two charges of theft of co-codamol belonging to the Southern Health and Social Care Trust on both those dates were withdrawn by the Prosecution.
The court heard that on February 24 this year police attended Craigavon Area Hospital following a report from a manager in the hospital pharmacy department.
"It was believed a member of staff unlawfully took controlled medication from the premises, namely co-codamol 30-500 which is a Class B drug,” said a Prosecutor.
She revealed that management found “discrepancies in stock levels” and following internal inquiries and CCTV the “defendant was identified”.
During a search of Cranston’s home on February 27 one box of co-codamol was found.
“He was interviewed and admitted taking one box of the controlled drug without permission for his personal use,” said the Prosecutor.
"He stated that he does handle these medications, that handling them was within his job. He was under a lot of pressure at work with different things going on the last couple of years and he suffers from anxiety,” said the Prosecutor, adding Cranston has no record.
The court was also told that Cranston was not a nurse and not affiliated to any regulatory body.
Cranston’s barrister Mr Gavyn Cairns said his client had "a prolonged difficulty with anxiety”.
"He made the grossly foolhardy decision to take two boxes of co-codamol in isolated incidents,” said the barrister, adding Cranston resigned from his job.
When asked by the District Judge if his new job meant handling drugs, he was told it did not. Mr Cairns said his client is engaging with Community Addictions.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “The aggravating factor is very clear. It is theft from your place of work and that was a hospital. Those drugs are required in hospital for the medicinal needs of patients."
"Mr Cranston was caught red-handed,” he said and fined him £200 on each offence plus £25 Offender Levy.