Paul Martin: Rylstone man faces court on prescription fraud charges
An unemployed man who had allegedly been cut off from strong painkillers by his doctor drew the attention of a pharmacist due to his penmanship.
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An unemployed Rylstone man drew the attention of a pharmacist when he forged a prescription for Valium, a court has heard.
Paul Martin, 44, presented an altered, already filled prescription for Panadeine Forte to Blooms The Chemist in Lithgow Valley Shopping Centre on December 12, 2018.
He had added the word ‘valium’ and numbers ‘5’ and ‘50’ in handwriting to the bottom of the prescription, according to documents tendered to Lithgow Local Court where he appeared on charges of make and use false document to obtain forgery.
Valium often comes in a 5mg 50-tablet pack.
“Both of these offences carry a maximum of 10 years in district court,” Magistrate Cate Follent said.
“It’s an objectively serious (thing) to forge a prescription.”
Martin, who pleaded guilty, swore he didn’t do this.
“What can I say? I’m sorry,” he told Magistrate Follent who said, “You’re not going to jail today, if that’s your concern.”
She did however sentence him to a 12-month community corrections order.
Police allege Martin obtained a prescription for Panadeine Forte from Dr Haesung Bak at the private clinic at Lithgow Hospital on November 22, 2018.
He allegedly presented an altered prescription to Sabrina Mou, the pharmacist on duty at Lithgow’s Blooms The Chemist on December 12, 2018, who noticed “extra words and numbers in a slightly different tone/type of black pen to Dr Bak’s handwriting”.
Suspecting forgery, she contacted Dr Bak who confirmed she did not prescribe Valium.
Police alleged her clinician record say, “I am not supplying him with any more Valium or Endone scripts. He will use Panadeine Forte for pain control.”
Martin told the court he no longer had a drug problem.
“You are capable of leading a law-abiding life,” said Magistrate Follent, adding the penalty needs “to discourage other people from committing this type of offence.”
She noted Martin failed to appear for his last court date. He said he came later that day.
Police allege he failed to turn up to a police interview on January 23, 2019, without explanation.
He signed a declaration refusing to be interviewed in February 2019.