Three sentenced for offences linked to theft and supply of prescription drugs in Somerset
Alastair Caines, 41, Stuart Eales, 55, formerly of Yeovil, and Louise Larby, 42 previously admitted several offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription drugs
Three people have been sentenced for offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription drugs in Somerset.
Alastair Caines, 41, of Yeovil, Stuart Eales, 55, formerly of Yeovil, and Louise Larby, 42, formerly of Yeovil, were all sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, on Monday (14 September).
The prosecution follows a two-year investigation which began when a pharmacy contacted police after becoming aware of discrepancies in their stock.
All three defendants had previously admitted conspiring to:
- sell/supply prescription-only medicine (Oramorph) not in accordance with a prescription
- supply controlled drug class C – Zopiclone
- supply controlled drug class B – Dihydrocodeine
- supply controlled drug class C – Diazepam
- supply controlled drug class C – Pregabalin
Eales and Larby also admitted to theft by an employee, involving controlled drugs between May 2022 and March 2024 while they were working for a pharmacy.
Alastair Caines received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a three-month home detention curfew and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
Stuart Eales was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for one year, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Louise Larby was handed an 18-month community order, a 20-day rehabilitation requirement, and a nine-month mental health treatment requirement.
All three denied a further charge of conspiring to supply Tramadol, a class C controlled drug and this charge will lie on file.
A fourth person, a woman, previously arrested in connection with the investigation, was released without any charge.