A pharmacist has admitted attempting to steal more than £46,000 of tax.

Mohammad Aziz, 41, submitted a false VAT repayment claim from Pro-Health Pharmacy Ltd in Edinburgh's South Clerk Street in February 2015.

Following an investigation, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) refused the claim worth £46,280 and Aziz was detained and charged with fraud.

Aziz, of Maplewood Park in Edinburgh, pleaded guilty at the city's sheriff court on Monday. After being fined £6000, he paid the sum in full.

Following Aziz's sentencing, a HMRC spokesperson said: "Aziz tried to exploit the tax system to line his own pockets with money worth the equivalent of two ambulance technicians' salaries.

"Tax fraud is a serious crime and a small minority think they are above the law. This is theft from honest taxpayers and of money needed to fund vital public services.

"I ask anyone with information about those who may be involved in tax fraud to contact us."