Insomniac refused sleeping pills broke into GPs’ surgery to steal them
... then set the place on fire to cover his tracks
A “PROLIFIC offender” who wasn’t given medication for his insomnia later broke in to the surgery to steal it – before setting fire to the place to cover his tracks.
Sion Alaw Griffiths damaged medical records and cut power to a fridge where immunisation drugs were kept when he started the fire in Gwalchmai, Anglesey.
The drugs had to be thrown away at a cost of thousands to the NHS, and clinics were cancelled following the incident in the early hours of May 5.
Griffiths, of Maes Meurig, Gwalchmai, admitted charges of burglary and arson at an earlier hearing and sentence was adjourned for psychiatric reports.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard the 30-year-old had previous convictions for both burglary and arson.
Jailing him for two years and four months and ordering an extended licence period of three years, Judge Huw Rees said: “The time has come for you to make a decision about how you see your life in the future.
“There is another side to you and upon release you should seek employment.”
Prosecutor Elen Owen said an intruder alarm was activated at the surgery at 12.57am and alerted a Dr Richard Keating, who made his way to the premises.
“As he approached the building, he saw the defendant, whom he recognised as a patient, crouching behind a car,” she said.
“Dr Keating went inside and found a window had been smashed and a fire in the practice manager’s room. He went to get some water and also called the fire brigade.
“Two boxes of medication were found outside and further boxes of medication – diazepam – found to have been taken.”
Ms Owen said the effects of the blaze could have been worse were it not for the actions of Dr Keating in tackling the fire.
“The medical records of 2,500 patients were stored in the building and some were destroyed in the fire,” she said.
“Power to the immunisation fridge was cut, causing the drugs stored inside to be unusable.
“These were replaced at a cost of £7,000 to the NHS and all prebooked clincs had to be cancelled, but the surgery remained open.”
Gareth Roberts, defending, said Griffiths suffered from insomnia and had attended the surgery to seek medication.
“He was told to take more exercise and was not prescribed any medicine,” said Mr Roberts.
“He drank alcohol instead and, later that night, decided to break in and steal the medication he felt he needed.
“The arson was an attempt to cover his tracks after he realised he had cut himself on the window. It was a comedy of errors.”
Following the hearing, Detective Constable Matt Corkish of North Wales Police said: “Griffiths is a prolific offender with a track record of both burglary and arson.
“Today’s sentence is significant for both his latest victims and the communities of Anglesey.”