CHARGES against a man arrested for armed robbery have been dropped after medical experts concluded his behaviour could have been affected by withdrawal symptoms from the anti-depressant Seroxat.

Theatre manager Mark Douglas-Hamilton, aged 30, who lives near Hereford, was due to face trial in Oxford, this week, on two charges of theft.

The case has now been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Although the CPS did not give any reason for its action, according to national newspaper reports, Douglas-Hamilton was helped by a medical report which concluded the drug could have contributed to his threatening behaviour.

Last November, two days after coming off Seroxat, Douglas-Hamilton, admitted he used a pair of wire-cutters to hold up a garage in Oxford, where he stole a packet of cigarettes.

Two weeks later, he stole CDs from a record shop. He admitted committing the acts but claimed his personality and behaviour had been altered by withdrawal effects from the drug.

Seroxat, prescribed to thousands of people every year for anxiety and depression, is surrounded by controversy. Campaigners claim it has pushed people to suicide and caused serious withdrawal symptoms.

But manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline deny violence is a withdrawal symptom of Seroxat and it argues that aggression is a feature of anxiety disorders.

Have you suffered from taking Seroxat? Call the Evening News newsdesk on 01905 74 22 44 or e-mail: wen edit@thisis worcester.co.uk