Pharmacist who sexually assaulted teenager during consultation jailed

A pharmacist who sexually assaulted a teenager 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 Nitshill, Glasgow on June 5, 2023.

The teenager 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”.

Azam 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 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 ten years.

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

He was the manager at the time at the chemist in Nitshill.

Azam told the teen that due to the “sensitivity” of her issue, it was “more common” to diagnose it from a photo.

The victim said she did not have a picture – Azam eventually stated he would “have a look” instead. He insisted that she consented.

He went on to touch her in an intimate area – but Azam told jurors that there was “no physical contact” apart from on her leg when she sat down.

He is also said to have made remarks of a sexual nature 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 commented on 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 bear.”