A CARLISLE nurse’s “dedicated” 15-year- career is potentially now in tatters after she admitted stealing pain killers to feed her addiction to the drugs.

Naomi Shaw, 37, admitted stealing codeine and diazapam tablets from a drugs cabinet in a ward at The Cumberland Infirmary over four months. At the city’s Rickergate court, she pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said that the defendant’s crime came to light on February 28 when staff from the hospital contacted the police, reporting that prescribed medication had been disappearing from Willow Ward.

“Staff were able to identity the offender because at 3.30pm [on Friday, February 28] the defendant went into Willow Ward with a key fob.” This gave her access to the drugs cabinet, from which she had taken seven blister packs of codeine tablets.

“She was working as a bank nurse at the time,” said Mrs Ward. “In her interview, she was very frank and said she had an addiction to prescribed medication.” Shaw said she had been addicted for three years.

Her 35 tablet a day habit led to her taking the drugs, she said. .

Rachel Dixon, for Shaw, of Kingstsown Road, Carlisle, said she was a woman of previous good character, who suffered both depression and back pain. There was also a suspicion of bipolar disorder.

“She felt her [prescribed] medication was not effective and made her drowsy. She was concerned about taking that medication on a daily basis because of her role as a nurse

“Four months ago, it reached a tipping point,” said the lawyer. “She’s dedicated 15 years of her life to working for the NHS, trying to help others... She will possibly lose her career.”

Magistrates imposed a year-long community order, with 100 hours unpaid work, and an order to undergo treatment for her current drug dependency. She must also pay £85 costs, and a £90 victim surcharge.