A veterinary nurse who stole medication from her former workplace near Colwyn Bay has been struck off the professional register following a disciplinary hearing.

Claire Turner, a registered veterinary nurse (RVN), was removed from the register by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) after being convicted of burglary offences involving a veterinary practice in Mochdre.

Turner was sentenced in August 2025 after pleading guilty to repeatedly entering Mochdre Vets as a trespasser to steal medication, including ketamine. Llandudno Magistrates’ Court heard that she entered the premises dozens of times between January and March 2024 while on sick leave from the practice.

The court was told that another member of staff, described as a junior member of the practice team, had initially come under suspicion as a result of the missing medication.

Turner claimed she had taken drugs from the practice to help manage pain associated with health problems. She initially denied the charges before later changing her plea, although she continued to deny taking ketamine from the premises.

She received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, was ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work, pay £1,161.20 in compensation and costs, and was made subject to a five-year restraining order.

Following the conviction, the RCVS disciplinary committee considered whether Turner remained fit to practise as a veterinary nurse.

The committee concluded that the conviction, together with a number of aggravating factors, meant she was no longer suitable to remain on the register.

Committee chair Paul Morris said Turner’s actions were “fundamentally incompatible” with the responsibilities of a registered veterinary nurse and represented “a serious departure from professional standards”.

In its findings, the committee noted that Turner had shown no remorse for her actions and had instead attempted to place blame on others.

Mr Morris said: “Mrs Turner has not demonstrated any remorse for her behaviour and instead has sought to blame others; she has demonstrated a complete lack of insight, especially in regard to the impact of her behaviour on public confidence and trust in the profession.

“In light of these conclusions, the committee decided that the only appropriate and proportionate sanction in this case was removal from the register.

“The committee determined that it was important that a clear message be sent that this sort of behaviour is wholly inappropriate and not to be tolerated. It brought discredit upon Mrs Turner and discredit upon the profession.”

As a result of the ruling, Turner has been removed from the RCVS register and can no longer practise as a registered veterinary nurse in the UK.