In a case his solicitor described as a personal tragedy a 42-year-old A and E doctor has been given a suspended 26-week jail sentence after he admitted the theft of drugs from a special cabinet for his own use.

Richard Evans worked long hours and had been upset by the sudden death of his wife last August, magistrates at Llandudno heard on Monday.

He was accused of stealing the sleeping pill Zoplicione and pain killer Co-Codamol last year at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, where he worked.

Mel Hughes, prosecuting, said Dr Evans, of St George’s Drive, Prestatyn, was permitted access to the cabinet, to which he logged on. On Christmas Eve it had been discovered that 7.5 milligrams of the sleeping drug were missing. He admitted taking one or two to help him sleep over the Christmas period after the death of his wife. The doctor also accepted that he had taken Co-Codamol on different occasions.

It was alleged he had used names of patients to cover this, though he had been prescribed painkillers by his own GP.

Mr Hughes said although the financial cost was not high such an offence could involve a loss of confidence. The prosecutor disclosed that in 2003 Dr Evans received a conditional discharge for forging drugs prescriptions.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said Dr Evans accepted he stole Zoplicione on only one occasion and Co-Codamol on ten.

“It’s a personal tragedy for the doctor who believes he will lose his employment as an A and E registrar where he’s been for the last ten or eleven years and is well respected by his peers.”

There had never been a complaint against him by colleagues or patients.

Mr Roberts said it all went back to August last year when Dr Evans returned home from a two-night shift to find his wife, aged 40, had died suddenly. “It was an incredibly difficult time for him,” commented the solicitor.

“He accepts he didn’t deal with it in the right way, reported back to work soon afterwards and didn’t seek counselling or help. He didn’t have time to mourn his wife’s passing. He accepts that around Christmas he took a tablet to help him sleep, since his wife’s passing he had nightmares.”

There was an audit and he knew the theft would be discovered, so there was no sophistication. Regarding the Co-Codamol he should have returned to his GP, who had prescribed it, but was working long hours and instead had taken some from the cabinet.

The General Medical Council was involved and he did not expect that he would be allowed to practice any longer. Dr Evans had been referred to a narcotics anonymous organisation and was receiving bereavement counselling.

Imposing the suspended sentence court chairwoman Jean Bryson said magistrates had been told about “very unfortunate circumstances”

She added: “We give you credit for pleading guilty and there is extensive personal mitigation.”

The prison sentence was suspended for a year. Dr Evans must pay costs of £200.