Three current or former Yeovil residents have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription-only drugs in Somerset.

Alastair Caines, 41, of Yeovil, Stuart Eales, 55, formerly of Yeovil, and Louise Larby, 42, formerly of Yeovil, were sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, which was sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, on Monday, September 14. The source does not state the year of the hearing.

The case followed a two-year investigation. Police became involved after a pharmacy identified discrepancies in its stock and contacted officers. Eales and Larby had been working for a pharmacy when the thefts took place, with the admitted offending involving controlled drugs taken between May 2022 and March 2024.

Offences admitted

Before the sentencing hearing, all three defendants admitted conspiring to sell or supply prescription-only medicine without a prescription. The medicine named in the case was Oramorph.

The admissions also covered the supply of several controlled drugs: Zopiclone, classified as Class C; Dihydrocodeine, classified as Class B; Diazepam, classified as Class C; and Pregabalin, also classified as Class C.

Eales and Larby separately admitted theft by an employee, relating to controlled drugs taken while they worked for a pharmacy. The three defendants denied another allegation: conspiring to supply Tramadol, a Class C controlled drug. That charge will lie on file.

Sentences at Taunton Crown Court

  • Alastair Caines: 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, plus a three-month home detention curfew and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
  • Stuart Eales: six months in prison, suspended for one year, with 150 hours of unpaid work.
  • Louise Larby: an 18-month community order, a 20-day rehabilitation requirement and a nine-month mental health treatment requirement.

A fourth person, described as a woman, had previously been arrested in connection with the investigation. She was released without charge.

Police warning

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: Selling or sharing prescription-only medication is a criminal offence.

The spokesperson also warned: Taking a drug without the proper medical assessment carries a significant risk of an adverse reaction. Police said: There is support for those struggling with drug use, and their families.

Information about available drug and alcohol services is provided through the Somerset Council website. The source directs readers to its drugs and alcohol support page but does not give further details of the services in the supplied material.