A self-confessed drug addicted pharmacist, who stole drugs for his personal use, was fined $3,250 or six months in prison yesterday in Magistrates? Court.

Canadian national Mark Brady, 36, of Bostock Hill West, was charged with one count of stealing amphetamines from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital between June and December 2003, and a further five counts of being in possession of the controlled drugs.

Brady admitted to stealing 84 ampoules of Pethidine, a pain killer often used by mothers in labour under the trade name Demerol.

He also admitted stealing one-and-a-quarter tablets of morphine, 33 labelled ampoules of morphine, seven ampoules of Fentanyl ? a pain killer sometimes used as an anaesthetic ? and one ampoule of Diazepam, better known as valium. All 125 ampoules were worth a total of $270.

Crown counsel Juan Wolffe told the court that the discovery of the theft was made by the head pharmacist, who noticed two empty ampoules of Pethidine in the men?s bathroom at the hospital on December 10 of last year.

The Police went to Brady?s Paget home where they discovered the drugs and used needles. The stolen drugs are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Mr. Wolffe said he was then taken to Dr. Basil Wilson who took a urine sample, which was later analysed by the Government Analyst and found to contain both morphine and Pethidine.

Mr. Wolffe said Brady had been fired from the hospital and was officially charged on March 31.

Lawyer Mark Pettingill said Brady is undergoing drug treatment at Benedict Associates and his records would be transferred upon his return to Canada on April 15.

Mr. Pettingill pointed out problems related to drug use were not uncommon among pharmacists.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves fined Brady $750 for stealing and $500 each for the five counts of possession.

Mr. Greaves said the fines were payable now or Brady would be jailed for six months.