A GWENT doctor who forged prescriptions for Viagra because he was too embarrassed to see a GP has told a disciplinary panel the "stupid mistake" was a "one-off".

Dr Mansoor Kassim, 37, was given a suspended jail term in January after he pleaded guilty to theft, forgery and fraud which involved collecting the tablets at pharmacies near his then workplace at Ystrad Fawr Hospital.

The first of his bogus prescriptions, which contained details of non-existent patients and doctors, was stolen on the second day of his employment by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Dr Kassim, 37, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, in a hearing at Newport Magistrates' Court, and the General Medical Council (GMC) argue his fitness to practise is impaired by reason of his convictions.

Opening the case before a Medical Practioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel, Miss Sharon Beattie, for the GMC, said counter-fraud investigators were alerted last August when suspicions were voiced about prescription forms raised from the hospital's trauma and orthopaedic unit, where Dr Kassim worked as a clinical fellow.

The Indian-born doctor was suspended and analysis of his handwriting was obtained which matched the prescription forms.

It emerged that Dr Kassim, who was partly living in Ilford, Essex, had visited pharmacies in Newport with prescriptions to obtain 20 tablets at a time of sildenafil, better known as Viagra - which is free on prescription in Wales.

Dr Kassim explained his conduct to the panel sitting in Manchester and acknowledged it was "a serious crime" he had committed.

He said: "I have been very dishonest doing these things. I am not offering any excuse, I understand there is no excuse for this.

"I am remorseful and ashamed that it came to this.

"This was a unique case. It was a stressful situation in my life. It was a stupid mistake."

Asked about his conduct since, he said: ""Except for this one incident, a one-off, I have a high integrity and honest. I have never hidden anything from anyone or did anything out of line. I can guarantee that."

He went on to say he was now committed to being "completely honest and open" at work and that he would not make a mistake again.

Dr Kassim said: "I put my career at stake. I lost my family. I have learnt my lesson."

This year's court hearing was told that Dr Kassim had found it "shameful given his cultural background to be inadequate in the bedroom".

Part of today's proceedings were held in private as the doctor's health was discussed and the anti-impotence drug was not identified as the drug in question that he had obtained falsely.

Miss Beattie put it to the doctor that his actions were anything but a "one-off" considering his pattern of offending over eight months between February and October last year.

Dr Kassim agreed but added: "The reasons were a one-off."

Miss Beattie said: "Knowing it was wrong, knowing you were doing it time and time again, why not do something to try to rectify it?"

He replied: "I have made a foolish decision. An error of judgment at this time."

She asked him why he had not gone outside his local area to see a GP or collect the tablets from a pharmacy .

Dr Kassim said: "The whole issue was I did not want to reveal my identity then and tell anyone I had these problems."

Dr Kassim was convicted of two counts of theft, four counts of forgery and three counts of fraud in relation to four presciptions.

Miss Beattie said a further five prescriptions were included in the prosecution case. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £340.67, costs of £2561.11 and victim surcharge of £100.

The MPTS hearing is scheduled to last three days.