‘STUD’ DRUG THEFT FINE

Dad busted by pharmacy

A THIEF was busted stealing erectile dysfunction medication while waiting to be served at a Belmont pharmacy.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that on May 4, Andrew Baxter was a customer at Pharmacy 4 Less when he shoplifted a product called ‘Stud 100’.

The store’s manager was easily able to trace the theft to the father-of-three given he had left a doctor’s script containing his personal details.

Baxter later placed an envelope under the store’s door containing a written apology and $20 cash — $5 short of the product’s price tag.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty yesterday to multiple shop thefts, along with separate charges including intentionally damaging property.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Scott Bell said Baxter first targeted the pharmacy on February 24, when he tore open a box of knee support stockings on the shelf and put it in his pocket.

Although the theft was captured on CCTV, the store’s manager chose not to report it to police as he believed no one would recognise the man.

However, that all changed in May, when Baxter returned to the scene of the crime and stole the erectile dysfunction medication.

On this occasion, Baxter left a script with the pharmacy, helping the business find his name and phone number.

He was arrested one month later and told police the thefts were due to “stupidity” and a “lack of good decision-making”.

Baxter was also sentenced over a window he smashed with a rock at his ex-partner’s home on May 24.

Defence lawyer Sarah Wood said her client had been homeless at the time of the thefts, but had now secured a property in Bell Post Hill.

She said Baxter was still unemployed due to a shoulder injury.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan fined Baxter $1500 and ordered him to pay a further $80 compensation to the pharmacy for the stolen items.

Baxter later placed an envelope under the store’s door containing a written apology and $20 cash — $5 short of the product’s price tag.