Glasgow pharmacist jailed for sexual assault of teenager during consultation

A pharmacist who sexually assaulted a teenage girl during a consultation has been jailed for two years.

Tauqeer Azam, 41, carried out an inappropriate examination of the 19-year-old at the Well Pharmacy in Glasgow's Nitshill on June 5, 2023.

The girl had gone there with an intimate medical issue. Azam initially requested a photo of what was wrong before asking to see it as a "last resort".

He then went on to check without wearing any rubber gloves insisting there was a "supply issue".

Azam's career is likely over after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting the teenager following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He was also convicted of making inappropriate remarks to a woman during an earlier examination.

Sheriff Joan Kerr told Azam at today sentencing that he “abused the trust” of his two victims.

The sheriff added: “We are all encouraged to use a pharmacy as a first port of call for any health concerns.

“Your actions will have implications on people other than the victims.

“Your actions may erode public trust in using pharmacies first.

“Despite the glowing references people close to you have of you, I conclude that your offending was a significant breach of trust and only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”

Azam was also put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

The court heard the married father-of-four, of the city's Crookston, had been a pharmacist for 18 years.

He is also said to have made a sleazy comment to the teenager.

Azam claimed in court that the victim "lied" about what happened to her.

Azam had previously worked at a Boots pharmacy in Edinburgh on May 9, 2021.

A woman had a similar issue to the Glasgow victim.

She said Azam made a comment about her underwear and another about an intimate area on her body.

Fiscal Kyle Dalziel put to Azam: "It makes you the most unluckiest person in Scotland that two women who have never met from different parts of the country have accused you of inappropriate behaviour."

Azam replied: "Yes."

Victoria Young, defending, told the court that her client continues to profess his innocence.

The advocate said: “He accepts that the jury rejected his position.

“He understands that he was in a position of trust which makes this more serious.

“He is aware that the conviction for a man in his position brings disgrace not only on him but his profession, his family which is why it makes it hard to bare.”

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