A MAN tried to fake the amount of prescription drugs he was allowed because he disagreed with his doctor’s dosage.

John Murray, 31, of Whessoe Road, Darlington, changed his prescription of Zopiclone, a drug taken for insomnia, from 7.5 millogrammes to 77.5 millogrammes, by scribbling an extra seven on his doctor’s note.

Murray pleaded guilty to fraud at Darlington Magistrates Court today.

The court heard how staff at the chemist where he was trying to get his prescription had spotted the fraud and confronted Murray, who left without the drugs.

When arrested, he told police he was suffering back and knee pain, and had asked to doctor to increase his dosage of the drug, which helped him sleep when in pain.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said: “He is prescribed a whole range of medication for back pain, mental health problems and for sleeping.

“He went to his GP and told him the drugs weren’t doing the job for his back and neck pain. The doctor wouldn’t up the dosage, so he changed his prescription, “He has since been back and the dosage has been increased.”

Murray was given a twelve month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 in costs.