A PHARMACY manager who stole and sold class C drugs from the premises has been ordered to pay back almost £40,000.

A proceeds of crime hearing against Inderjit Singh Klare was held at Durham Crown Court on Friday.

The 39-year-old stole boxes of temazepam and diazepam while managing IntraHealth Pharmacy, in West Cornforth, between January 1, 2017, and February 16 last year.

He went on to sell the majority to someone who supplied drugs to a prison inmate.

After he was caught Klare, of Ellesmere Close, Houghton-le-Spring, admitted charges of theft by an employee, possession of a class C drug, and possession with intent to supply.

In September, a judge a Durham Crown Court, imposed prison terms of ten months for theft and five months, consecutively, for drugs offences, but a third was deducted after his early guilty pleas.

On Friday, Recorder Michael Wheeler told Klare he had three months to repay a total of £39,847.33 or he could be jailed again.

He said: “I am satisfied that you were involved in the supply of drugs.

“If you don’t pay the amount you could serve six months in prison.”