Three sentenced over illegal supply of prescription drugs

The sentences were handed down at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, on Monday, September 14.

Alastair Caines, 41, of Yeovil, Stuart Eales, 55, formerly of Yeovil, and Louise Larby, 42, formerly of Yeovil, had all previously admitted conspiring to sell or supply a number of prescription-only and controlled drugs.

The police investigation began after a pharmacy discovered discrepancies in its stock, and ended in suspended jail sentences for two of the men involved.

The offences included the unlawful supply of the prescription-only medicine Oramorph, as well as the class B controlled drug Dihydrocodeine and the class C drugs Zopiclone, Diazepam and Pregabalin.

Eales and Larby also admitted theft by employee of controlled drugs between May 2022 and March 2024 while working for a pharmacy.

The court heard the three had conspired to supply the medicines without the prescriptions and safeguards normally required by law.

Alastair Caines, 41, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, as well as a home detention curfew and a rehabilitation requirement. (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

Caines was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also made subject to a three-month home detention curfew and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.

Eales received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Larby was given an 18-month community order, along with a 20-day rehabilitation requirement and a nine-month mental health treatment requirement.

Stuart Eales, 55, was handed a six-month jail term, suspended for one year, as well as 150 hours of unpaid work. (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

All three defendants denied a further allegation of conspiring to supply Tramadol, a class C controlled drug. Police said that charge will remain on file.

A fourth person, a woman who was arrested during the investigation, was never charged with any offences.

According to Avon and Somerset Police, the case stemmed from concerns raised by a pharmacy after irregularities were identified in its stock records.

The resulting investigation lasted two years before charges were brought against those involved.

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

"Taking a drug without the proper medical assessment carries a significant risk of an adverse reaction."

Support for people affected by drug use, as well as their families, is available through Somerset Council's drugs and alcohol services, and information can be found on the council's website.