Addiction led to fraud

A NERANG insurance broker’s addiction to “legal heroin” was so strong he faked dozens of prescriptions so he could get his hands on more oxycodone after his doctor cut him off.

Colin Douglas Shannon, 44, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to multiple charges including forgery, uttering a forged document, fraud and attempted fraud.

The court was told Shannon was prescribed oxycodone for a back injury and became addicted.

After his doctor attempted to wean him from the drug, Shannon was found with fake script templates which he used at multiple pharmacies on the Gold Coast and Logan between October and March.

When a chemist would question him, Shannon would move on to the next pharmacy.

He would also use his wife’s name on some scripts so he did not arouse suspicion.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair sentenced him to 18 months probation with no conviction.