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Blushing Mr Pink, 83, forged prescription for Viagra

Ian Herbert,Northern Correspondent
Friday 29 October 1999 23:00 BST
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Ernest Pink, 83, reddened considerably yesterday as the consequences of an audacious, if ill-conceived, plan to double his Viagra intake dawned on him.

Ernest Pink, 83, reddened considerably yesterday as the consequences of an audacious, if ill-conceived, plan to double his Viagra intake dawned on him.

Four 50mg Viagra pills a month cannot, it seems, sate the desires of Mr Pink and the 39-year-old companion with whom, he confesses, he has a "lovely time". Mr Pink was anxious to double his £29 quota and asked his GP for eight pills a month.

When his request was firmly refused, the ex-Eighth Army sergeant took bold action, forging a blank prescription form that he says he found on a table at his local library. He was handed the tablets and was preparing for the rewards of his efforts when, within two days, he found himself being cautioned by police for obtaining goods by deception.

Mr Pink, from Newton Heath, Greater Manchester, spoke from the heart in his own defence, yesterday. "I have a ladyfriend and she is younger than me," he said. "Though she doesn't live with me we like to spend time together. I am elderly and do not have a lot of pleasure and I only asked for four extra. For someone as fit and healthy as I am, I cannot understand the reasons for refusing." He and his unnamed companion have been together for three years.

As for the prescription, well that was too much of a temptation. "It was just lying on a table," he explained. "I didn't think it would matter if I used it so I filled it in myself. I thought I'd got away with it."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed yesterday that an 83-year-old had been cautioned for obtaining goods by deception.

Mr Pink, a twice-divorced grandfather, found room for philosophy. "It was a bit shocking to be arrested but the police were very nice about it," he said. "I am lucky really to have four [tablets] a month."

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