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A pharmacist in Northern Ireland who was convicted of theft at a magistrates court last year has been suspended for three months by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Hannah Belema Thom-Manuel was sanctioned by a statutory committee of the PSNI having received and served concurrent custodial sentences of three months suspended for one year for stealing cash and toiletries from her employer.

She stole about £20 on July 27, 2023 and toiletries worth £17.78 and £17.98 on July 27, 2023 and July 28, 2023 respectively.

The committee said her offences “involved an element of dishonesty” and considered her “behaviour to be a serious matter”.

It took into account the “significant workplace difficulties” she faced, including the “apparent withholding of her pension contributions”, her unpaid travel expenses, lone working and “challenges getting annual leave approved”.

“She faced a challenging workplace environment when she was 25 years old in her first employment and away from some of her support mechanism,” the committee said.

However, it concluded Thom-Manuel had “clearly brought the pharmacy profession into disrepute” and breached two standards; that pharmacists adhere to acceptable standards of personal and professional conduct inside and outside of work; and that pharmacists maintain public trust and confidence by acting with honesty and integrity.

She was given a 28-day interim suspension to cover the period in which she could decide to lodge an appeal with the High Court.