A 26-year-old chef has been fined £350 for stealing prescription medication.

Bethany Lisa Parker admitting stealing pregabalin from a friend’s house.

She had previously pleaded not guilty to the offence but on Tuesday changed her plea.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that, on July 1, a man collected his prescription medication and went to an address at Tramman Park in Douglas.

He said he put the drugs in a cabinet and left Parker alone in the house.

When he returned he said some drugs were missing and Parker was later found by police in possession of them.

When interviewed she denied the theft, claiming the man had given her the drugs.

She then answered ’no comment’ to all questions.

The court heard that Parker, who has no fixed address, is the subject of a two-year probation order.

Defence advocate David Reynolds expressed concerns about his client being fit to be sentenced due to her allegedly being intoxicated in court.

Mr Reynolds said that Parker had recently starting working part-time as a chef in a restaurant.

A probation report said that Parker had been attending probation meetings.

The court heard that she is already paying fines until July 2021.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith also ordered Parker to pay £350 costs, due to preparation work being done for a trial.

She will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £10 per week, deducted from benefits, at the end of her previous fine.