A PHARMACIST from Farnham has been charged with murder following the death of his father.

Bipin Desai, the 58-year-old former owner of Vaughan James Chemist in West Street, was also charged with assisted suicide in the alternative and two counts of theft - the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed on Wednesday (November 9).

It relates to the death of Mr Desai’s father, Dhirajlal Desai in August 2015.

The pharmacist was arrested on August 29, 2015, at his home in Dockenfield three days after police discovered the body of 85-year-old Dhirajlal at the same address.

Bipin was released on bail seven times while the police investigation continued, but was finally charged this week.

A CPS spokesperson said: “After an assessment of the evidence provided to us by the police it has been decided that Bipin Desai should face one charge of murder, with assisted suicide in the alternative, in relation to the death of his father, Dhirajlil Desai, on August 26, 2015. He will also face two charges of theft.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the DPP’s guidelines on cases of encouraging or assisting suicide.”

Bipin Desai is due to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on November 10, 2016.