Pharmacy assistant, 43, who stole B12 vitamins and other weight loss drugs from her workplace insists she wasn't looking to sell them on the black market but was just trying to get herself slim again

A pharmacy assistant who stole weight loss drugs from her workplace has insisted she was using them to try to get herself slim again. 

Debbie Monaghan, 43, had put on 'a lot of weight' after developing a mobility problem, which tempted her to steal at least £263 worth of medication, including B12 vitamins, as part of her vow to go on a diet.

The mother-of-one was caught when she left work for the day and staff at Melwood Pharmacy in West Derby, Liverpool, noticed shelves had been emptied of weight loss drugs, while B12 injections were also missing from the fridge.

A court heard Monaghan was sacked for gross misconduct and was suspected of selling the weight loss drugs on the black market, but she insisted she had used them herself to help with weight loss, keep up energy levels and to aid sleeping.

Magistrates agreed to accept her version of event despite her being given a suspended prison sentence in 2018 for stealing from a previous employer.

At Wirral Magistrates' court, Monaghan of Stoneycroft, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to theft by employee and was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity. 

She was also ordered to pay compensation of £285.63 to Melwood Pharmacy plus £234 in costs and victim surcharge.

Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said: 'Antonio Rastoll at Melwood Pharmacy in Liverpool reported that Miss Monaghan had been stealing controlled drugs from the premises. 

'There was a suspicion it had been going on for a couple of weeks and on July 20, when the defendant left the store, checks of the shelves found that drugs were missing, including injections from the fridge.

'Miss Monaghan was confronted and she admitted it. It was believed that it had been happening for a while and that Miss Monaghan had been stealing to sell to the public as well as using the injections.

'During interview she admitted the theft but said the medication was her personal use and not for sale. It was helping with weight loss and sleeping and energy.

'She was questioned about the amount of B12 she had taken because it was not possible for personal use. She said she had not taken any other drugs in the four weeks working at the pharmacy.'

Monaghan's solicitor Carole Clark said in mitigation: 'She has always maintained that the drugs were stolen for her only, the B12 to boost energy and also the weight loss drugs.

'Sometimes the B12 injections are given by a pharmacist over a period of time but she miscalculated the amount to be taken. She insists they were for her own personal use. The drugs are of limited value.'

Miss Clark added: 'When confronted by the employer she did not prevaricate. She has had a hard time recently and the drugs were only to help with weight loss. 

'She had put on a lot of weight and also has a medical condition with one of her feet and that affects her mobility.

'The B12 was to boost herself with energy to keep going. She is full of remorse and realises she has put herself in a precarious position. She realises that she will be punished for what she has done.

'Nobody was caused any particular harm though obviously the employer was caused distress. 

'It is very difficult to see how she will find another job whether in that field or something different. She is hoping to train as a taxi driver. She is anxious to get back into the working world.

'She has certainly learnt her lesson. I doubt very much she would find herself in that position again. She has not slept well and has been full of trepidation coming here today. She is facing up to what she has done.'