Hull GP receptionist stole prescriptions to get 27,000 morphine pills 'for a thrill' - and then blamed masked man
A GP receptionist stole hundreds of prescriptions to get drugs for a "thrill".
Daryl Elsmore, 44, stole morphine-based drugs over a three-year period from Dr Hussain's medical practice at Wilberforce Health Centre in Story Street, Hull city centre.
Elsmore had worked at the medical centre three days a week since August 2008 but began stealing prescriptions after two months.
She stole 334 prescriptions and took them to pharmacies in either Kingswood or Witham to exchange them for drugs.
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She obtained 12,536 at 30mg strength tablets and 15,136 higher strength 60mg tablets for drugs containing morphine.
When she was arrested, Elsmore told police she was threatened by a masked man who told her he would firebomb her home if she refused to get drugs for him.
She later admitted lying, saying she had stolen the prescriptions for a "thrill".
Prosecutor Jayne Bryan said: "In her initial police interview, she said she had been threatened by a man with a scarf over his face who made her steal prescriptions.
"In her last interview, she admitted lying and said she was depressed and was told morphine tablets would assist her.
"She realised they were not doing her any good but she carried on doing it for the thrill of being able to get away with it."
Elsmore pleaded guilty to theft between October 2008 and December last year and fraud between October and December 2008.
Recorder Stuart Brown QC told Elsmore he would not sentence her on the basis she supplied the stolen drugs to anyone. He said: "The prosecution has considered the papers and decided not to proceed with other charges.
"I have to sentence you, whatever the suspicions, on the basis there was no supply because supply would be a separate matter."
The net began to close in on Elsmore, of Innsworth Garth, Bransholme, after she used the name of a dead patient in a pharmacy in Boots in Kingswood.
Suspicious staff contacted the surgery where she worked in September last year but she got away with it because no one could identify who had handed over the prescription.
Elsmore was finally brought to justice last December when pharmacists in Biggin Avenue, east Hull, queried a prescription and Elsmore told them her friend had written it.
They contacted the surgery and, when they confronted Elsmore, she broke down and confessed.
She has been given a 36-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Comments
by cazmarelda
Friday, November 09 2012, 6:00PM
“by gemwoodFriday, November 9 2012, 10:53AM
"In reply to Cazmarelda you should certainly get your facts right before writing such slanderous words. Dr Hussein's is completely different from The Quays and the Wilberforce health centre building house different services so The Quays should certainly not be sladered in this way. Maybe I should bring your quote to the police?
The Receptionist abused her position of trust within her employment and the only person at fault is her and her sentence was appalling."
My facts are right. I was refused 28 Zopiclone tablets a month at the Quays after having that prescription with 'normal' GP practices for 10 yrs off and on. I know again for a fact that drug addicts were prescribed both these and other sedatives freely due to their 'addiction' need and these they sold on!
If you think The Quays is being 'sladered' or even slandered - and you wish to bring my quote to the attention of the police...lol, then go right ahead. I stand totally by what I have said and will repeat my experience to anyone.”
by oldgoldone
Friday, November 09 2012, 3:44PM
“Oh dear, Dolly_me, you may have picked on the wrong bloke. I have suffered from chronically, and occasionally acute, back problems since 1978. There is nothing that you or anyone else can teach me about spinal problems. About five years ago, when discussing the possibility of an operation with a surgeon, he said that such an op could put me in a wheel-chair for the rest of my life.
Yes, you're right, I chose the ailing back - because, with it, I can still hobble about.
And, no, I've never taken morphine. I think that the regular consumption of opiates is not a good idea. Years ago, a pharmacist said that, as painkillers, Ibuprofen and paracetamol could be taken together. I tried that. It was a bad idea. I felt zonked!
Therefore, there are numerous reasons why I don't take any medicines for my back pain. First and foremost is that I want to know the precise roots of the pain. That allows me to adapt, accordingly.
There are no pain-killing pills which can permit me to do that. - If there are, please tell me about them.”
by blahblahblur
Friday, November 09 2012, 2:52PM
“Dayuuum girrl!”
by Dolly_me
Friday, November 09 2012, 2:45PM
“@oldgoldone
I was briefly taken morphine for back problems and whilst you say "oh don't you look bad etc" but if u "think" you need it you take it and if no one is a Stable state of mind to guide you you continue to use these as they are great at blocking out pain, in any shape or form! Don't **** the girl off as you know little of her struggle.
Stick to the point. YES she did wrong and her sentence to some will not seem enough but she needs help! She was close to her parents and when that is taken away from you it's hard for some to cope!”
by Dolly_me
Friday, November 09 2012, 2:36PM
“It is such a shame that she had resorted to this! I know she was going through a lot of emotional struggles seeing her Dad in pain with his illness, still this does not excuse what she did was right. I do know she was very depressed! And yes she is only 44 (same as me)as I knew her when I was 12 and she looks like she's had a very hard life as I didn't recognise her at all.
I think some of it could have been sold and the rest used by herself as there were huge amounts stolen.
Morphine, isn't that was drug users take In-between fixes?
I just hope she gets the help she needs back to recovery!”
by rtyrty20
Friday, November 09 2012, 2:22PM
“1sloppo mouthing off? Not I.
Check morphine prices yourself here:
http://tinyurl.com/dxdg2p8”
by foxxjohn
Friday, November 09 2012, 2:22PM
“27,000 tablets / 1460 days is 18 tablets a day, I'm sure her bosses and workmates would possibly have noticed some thing not quite right about her if she was taken them.
I'm with others on this site, she has been selling them on!!!!”
by oldgoldone
Friday, November 09 2012, 1:51PM
“Oh Daryl, are you really only 44 years old? If so, you'd better get off the morphine - ASAP! To quote a famous Stanley Holloway monologue: 'My, you do look bad...'!”
by AlArmstrong
Friday, November 09 2012, 1:17PM
“She can take as many morphine tablets as she likes, but she will still look like Grotbags!”
by PurpleParrot
Friday, November 09 2012, 12:57PM
“by SASKIAATHULL
Friday, November 9 2012, 9:41AM
."Looks like the typical dragon you get on reception. Thick as bricks too by the sound if it."
Yes and she's only 23!!”