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Suspended sentence for Essex brothers who illegally imported unlicensed medicines (15 February 2016)
Date: 15/02/2016
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has prosecuted two brothers from Essex for importing and selling unlicensed drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, which they sold to UK and European customers.
Charlie Knight, 21, and Matthew Knight, 27, from Station Road in Hatfield Pereval, Essex were found to have more than 19,000 doses of unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicines at a property at Hatfield Perevale.
The discovery followed an investigation by MHRA investigators, who also found that the brothers were running a business called MedKnight Services –
and were selling the illegal drugs to customers in the UK and across Europe via eBay.
On Monday, 8 February 2016 at Chelmsford Crown Court, the brothers were each sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
The brothers were also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service –
and each must also pay £1,000 in costs.
MHRA Head of Enforcement, Alastair Jeffrey, said:
“These men had previously been warned that their actions were against the law – and yet they persisted in their actions.
“People like this involved in the illegal supply of medicines aren’t interested in your health – they are only interested in your money.
“Please think carefully before purchasing medical products from Internet sites, as you have no idea where they have come from or what they might contain.
“If you do choose to buy medicines online, you should only buy from a site that is registered with MHRA and displays the new EU common logo.
“If you have any concerns about your health, the best thing you can do is to see your GP and get a proper diagnosis,” Mr Jeffrey advised.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK, by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.
The MHRA’s work is underpinned by fact-based judgements, to ensure that the benefits of any drugs justify any risks.
MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers
Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving public protection offences – including charges relating to importing, distributing or selling unlicensed drugs or recreational drugs, selling counterfeit goods, selling illegal tobacco or alcohol, weights and measures offences, mislabelling offences, selling defective produce, health and safety breaches and breaches of food hygiene.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can attend interviews under caution with investigating authorities.
For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.
For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.