A pharmacy worker who stole more than £600,000 of human growth hormone to help his body building hobby has been warned to expect a long jail sentence.

Naheem Malik was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday of theft and fraud while employed as an assistant dispenser at Lloyd’s Pharmacy in Leeds Road, Bradford.

He stole the drugs over a period of nine months after fraudulently claiming they were for patients.

Malik, 26, of Moorside Lane, Laisterdyke, Bradford, was remanded in custody to be sentenced on July 8.

His barrister, Henry Spooner, asked for a probation service report.

He said Malik had a history of mental instability and had begun hearing voices in May 2008.

Judge John Potter told Malik to expect “a significant and lengthy sentence”.

He refused to grant him bail because he said he might fail to turn up for his sentencing hearing.

The Crown had set a Proceeds of Crime Act timetable to confiscate any money or assets Malik gained from his criminality.

During the trial, the jury heard that Malik’s role at the pharmacy was to dispense medication, by prescription only, for elderly patients in residential homes.

It involved placing orders for products with linked company, AAH Pharmaceuticals.

He ordered large quantities of the human growth hormone drug, Somatropin, and then stole it, between September 2007 and May 2008.

The court heard the total value of Malik’s drugs haul was in excess of £625,000.

Malik had told the jury he was an honest and diligent employee. He was not able to explain how the drugs had gone missing.