An Ilford pharmacist has been jailed for 12 months for stealing almost £5,000 worth of prescription drugs and selling them on the street.

Niren Patel pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of a position of trust, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and five counts of possession to supply a Class C drug.

Mr Patel admitted to selling drugs, including Genotropin, a growth hormone used by bodybuilders, to a member of the public on the street. Other drugs he sold included Dexamfetamine, a Class B drug used for weight loss and to improve academic performance, and class C drugs such as Xanax, Zolpidem and Diazepam.

The Met Police launched an investigation in August 2016 after Mr Patel’s employer, Day Lewis Pharmacy in Hornchurch, made a report of theft to the police. Analysis of stock records and drugs purchased by Patel, who also worked at Hedgemans Pharmacy in Dagenham, revealed he had created fraudulent orders for almost £5,000 worth of prescription medicine.

Detective Constable Beverley McInerney of the Met’s Organised Crime Command said: “Patel abused his position as a pharmacist by creating fraudulent orders for prescription drugs and then sold them on the street. The drugs he sold are highly addictive and dangerous when given to someone without a prescription.”