A FAMILY doctor who admitted forging prescriptions for a Viagra-style drug has been sentenced to 200 hours community service.

Dr Valiyakalayil Ramu, aged 62, from Halfway, near Sheerness, was also ordered to pay £600 costs when he appeared before Sittingbourne magistrates.

He admitted two offences of deception and one of fraud when in court last month.

The magistrates heard how Dr Ramu claimed he was trying to get the sex drug for a patient who could not afford it.

He was told his sentence had been reduced considerably because of his early guilty plea and support from the community.

Defending Dr Ramu, Andrew McCooey described the case like a Shakespeare tragedy and said: “There can’t be a more tragic case coming before this court.

“The care of his patients matters to him. If he walks around the Island, patients walk up to him and tell him how he saved their lives.

“Dr Ramu was due to retire last year but was invited by his patients to stay. Had he retired this would not have occurred. In reality, he won’t return to practice again.”

Mr McCooey also read out extracts from letters of support from a number of patients at Dr Ramu’s surgery in Halfway.

Dr Ramu has been suspended by the General Medical Council which will decide upon his professional future.