Sammy Townsley stole medication from a locked fridge at Dr Gray’s while at the hospital for chest pains, court hears.
Townsley felt chest pains on February 18 last year. Officers went to his house and took the 34-year-old to Dr Gray’s. Doctors needed to check him out.
The theft happened at the hospital last February. Elgin Sheriff Court heard the details. Townsley was alone in a room when an alarm suddenly sounded.
Karen Poke, a fiscal depute, explained the noise came from the locked medical fridge. Officers entered the room and saw Townsley on the bed. The fridge had been forced open, and three vials of medication were on the floor scattered by or under the bed.
Townsley denied taking any medicine, the court heard. He said someone else did it. The prosecutor stated this was impossible, as officers guarded the door the whole time and no one else entered.
Stephen Carty defended Townsley, saying his client felt deep regret and had struggled with substances for years, but is now doing better. The lawyer explained his client works with recovery services and wants to stop drinking and using drugs; he hopes to stay sober.
Townsley lives on North College Street in Elgin. The court placed him under supervision for a year. He must return to court on April 22 so they can check on his progress.