Hospital Lead Pharmacy Technician Removed from Register After Conviction for Attempted Sexual Communication with a Child and Dishonest Declaration to GPhC
Date of Decision: August 8, 2025
Registrant's Role: Pharmacy technician
Allegations:
- Convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a person believed to be a 13-year-old girl, contrary to Section 15(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, between 22 January 2023 and 15 March 2023.
- Submitted an annual declaration to the GPhC on 14 January 2024 incorrectly stating “No” to being under investigation by any regulatory body or criminal enforcement authority, despite being under police investigation at the time.
- Conduct in making the false declaration was dishonest and/or lacked integrity.
Outcome: Removal from the GPhC Register, with immediate interim suspension pending the decision taking effect.
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement.
- Standard 6 – Pharmacy professionals must behave in a professional manner.
- Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when things go wrong.
Case Summary
Allegations
The case centred on serious criminal and professional misconduct involving a pharmacy technician (the registrant). The first allegation related to a conviction under Section 15(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Between January and March 2023, the registrant engaged in explicit online communication with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl named “Amelia”. The individual was in fact an undercover police officer. Despite being told “Amelia” was under 16, the registrant persisted with sexual conversations, requests for explicit images, and sending indecent images of himself. His behaviour included explicit comments and offers to exchange sexual photographs.
In addition to the conviction, the registrant was accused of providing false information to the GPhC on 14 January 2024 in his annual declaration. He incorrectly stated he was not under any criminal investigation, despite having been arrested in March 2023 and awaiting a charging decision. The third allegation claimed that this false statement was dishonest and/or demonstrated a lack of integrity.
Findings
The GPhC Fitness to Practise Committee found all allegations proved. The conviction was established beyond doubt by the Certificate of Conviction from Sheffield Crown Court, which confirmed the registrant pleaded guilty on 29 May 2024. He was sentenced on 17 July 2024 to:
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacy technician
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved