Pharmacist had links to porn websites

Nathan Burgess Simpson (27) had also used the initials MRPharmS when he was not entitled to do so, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society was told.

However, his website was said to have caused the greatest concern. Monday's proceedings resulted in a warning to other pharmaceutical students not to get involved in similar '˜jolly japes'.

Imposing the reprimand, the chairman of the society's statutory committee, Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC, said: 'We consider he acted like a smutty student, not an irretrievable deviant.'

But he added: 'We would like to give a clear warning to students planning to join the profession '“ such a jolly jape is not acceptable.'

Submitting no further action should be taken against Mr Simpson, said at the hearing to work as a locum for Lloyds Chemists in Bognor Regis, his barrister James Mulholland told the panel: 'He was a smutty student who got wrapped up in things and didn't know others could get access.

'It should not be blown out of all proportion. It was student behaviour '“ juvenile, student behaviour. It was ridiculous nave behaviour, never to be repeated.'

At an earlier hearing, Geoff Hudson, for the society, said the site '˜variously' described Simpson as a pharmacist and '˜involved links to pornographic sites and non-pornographic sites containing material described as really disturbing'.

Describing the website, he said it contained a reference to favourite links, which involved pornography and non-pornography, and included a warning: '˜This site is disturbing '“ you have been warned'.

Mr Hudson said this contained rape videos, death videos and scenes of bestiality. 'There were scenes of violent sex and read: '˜If you're under 18, leave now'.

'Thumbnails were displayed on the site including rape with a knife to the throat.'

Simpson, who lives in Cedar Avenue, Worthing, said he bought a computer while he worked at a pharmacy in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight for internet access to his friends and family.

'I followed the instructions,' he said. 'There was an account on the desktop and invited me to set up an internet account.

'Included was a profile, inviting me to write a few lines about myself, which I did. I wasn't thinking about what I was writing down.'

However, he said he did not believe the information could be seen by the public.