A PHARMACY manager has been given a four-week extension to meet a Proceeds of Crime settlement or risk a prison sentence.

Inderjit Singh Klare, who was jailed last year for stealing drugs taken from the premises he ran, was ordered to pay back almost £40,000 at a hearing at Durham Crown Court, in February.

The 39-year-old defendant secreted boxes of the class C drugs temazepam and diazepam from IntraHealth Pharmacy, in West Cornforth, between January 1, 2017, and February 16 last year.

He was said to have sold most to a drug dealer.

Klare was said to be on a “downward spiral” having lost a six-figure sum through an investment fraud.

In despair he developed a cocaine habit, which led to his own debts amassing.

Klare sought various means of repaying the money, including selling the drugs taken from the pharmacy.

He admitted theft by an employee, possession of a class C drug, and possession with intent to supply and was jailed for ten months at the court last September.

Following proceeds of crime inquiries Klare was ordered to repay £39,847.33 in three months, subsequently extended to six months.

On deadline expiry date he returned to court and his counsel, Jamie Adams, asked for a further short extension to enable the completion of the sale of Klare’s home, in Ellesmere Close, Houghton-le-Spring, to enable him to complete the repayment.

Agreeing to extend by a further 28 days, Judge Christopher Prince told Mr Adams: “Mr Klare needs to realise that he has to get on with it and pay the money on time.

“The one thing he still has is his liberty, and he doesn’t want to lose that.”