'Predatory' pharmacist named

A Hamilton pharmacist found guilty of professional misconduct after inappropriately contacting three women and sending them unwanted texts can now be named.

Brian Mark Marshall was fined $15,000 plus costs and suspended for six months by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal last month for sending unsolicited texts messages and harassing young women.

The pharmacist of nearly 40 years got the phone numbers of the women so he could contact them for non-pharmacy related purposes.

In the case of one woman who worked in a hair salon next to the pharmacy, he went to her workplace without her knowledge to get her phone number in 2004. She eventually transferred to another salon because of his behaviour, including offering to come to her house to give her a massage.

The salon owner also issued a trespass notice against Mr Marshall in the tribunal's decision.

The other two women sought the emergency contraceptive pill from Mr Marshall.

One of the customers complained to police about texts she'd received in late 2006 after getting the pill, including asking if she had a regular partner or if it had been a one-night stand.

The other was also employed at the next-door hair salon, and she also transferred to another salon after receiving inappropriate texts from him and seeing him wink at her as he passed by.

Mr Marshall told the Waikato Times that he was "bitterly sorry" for his behaviour and was thankful that his family had been so supportive.

He was undecided whether he would return to pharmacy work when his suspension was up.

The tribunal said that Mr Marshall's behaviour was predatory, targeting young women, and showed a persistent pattern.

- NZPA