DO erased after thefts

Dispensing optician Claire Brooks was erased from the General Optical Council's registers after its fitness to practise committee heard she stole over £3,000 from her employer, Specsavers.

Brooks, who did not attend the hearing or present a case for her defence, made 13 fraudulent credit card refunds between 2008 and 2009. She admitted to the thefts when confronted by her employer and the money she stole was repaid by a family member after she was dismissed. Specsavers chose not to pursue criminal charges.

The committee heard that she used colleagues' log-in details to cover her dishonesty. It ruled that Brooks, who no longer works in the profession, should be erased from the registers immediately.