GP sentenced for stealing drugs

Dr Richard Archer resigned from the Heacham practice this year

A doctor who worked at a medical practice which treats members of the Royal Family has been given a one-year suspended jail sentence after admitting stealing Class A drugs from his surgery.

GP Dr Richard Archer, 37, of Heacham, Norfolk, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Monday.

His sentence was suspended for two years.

The doctor had admitted stealing morphine, pethidine and diamorphine when he appeared before magistrates in King's Lynn last July.

Archer was a partner in the Heacham group of surgeries, which covers the Queen's estate at Sandringham in Norfolk, until his resignation from the practice earlier this year.

Dr Ian Campbell, a senior partner at the practice, holds the title of Apothecary to the Royal Household and is responsible for treating members of the Royal Family when they stay at the estate.

The court heard that Archer began stealing medicines in May last year to feed a drug habit.

It heard the former Army doctor had taken painkillers from the surgery and replaced them with placebos.

An investigation began after a pharmacist raised concerns in October last year about the amount of a particular drug being requisitioned.

The court heard the doctor had financial and health problems and had been suffering from stress.