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Heroin GP was 'slumped over desk' Heroin GP was 'slumped over desk'
(about 1 hour later)
A County Antrim GP has been convicted of illegal possession of heroin, otherwise known as diamorphine.A County Antrim GP has been convicted of illegal possession of heroin, otherwise known as diamorphine.
A court heard Dr Owen Rea had been discovered slumped over his desk in the office of his surgery.A court heard Dr Owen Rea had been discovered slumped over his desk in the office of his surgery.
The GP, from West Strand Road in Portrush, was fined £750 when he appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Friday.The GP, from West Strand Road in Portrush, was fined £750 when he appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Friday.
He was fined for possessing the drug and for making false statements about it. The 45-year-old was fined for possessing the drug and for making false statements about it.
The court was told Dr Rea was found slumped across his desk at the Terrace Surgery in Portrush in March last year.The court was told Dr Rea was found slumped across his desk at the Terrace Surgery in Portrush in March last year.
When he was taken to hospital, he was found to have a syringe and two empty ampules of diamorphine.
He claimed some drugs that were missing had been given to a patient.
However, his defence solicitor said that, in fact, Dr Rea had destroyed them.
He said his client had battled a drug problem for 10 years and had become concerned that when the drugs were in his possession that he would yield to temptation.
Dr Rea was fined £250 for possession and another £500 for lying about the missing drugs.
The court was told that he is still able to practise as a GP, but is no longer able to write prescriptions.