A SECOND borough resident is pursuing legal action against the manufacturers of a drug to help people suffering with Parkinson’s disease.

Jack Higham, from Chadderton, says that after being diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease and being put on the ‘dopamine agonist’ drugs he became addicted to shopping.

The 57-year-old bought boxes and boxes of hi-tech gadgets and toys, and wracked up £12,000 of debts on nine credit cards.

It was only when Jack’s doctor told him that there was evidence that some people who received the drugs suffered personality changes that he altered his medication and stopped his compulsive spending sprees.

Jack, a divorcee with three adult sons, is now in the process of rebuilding his life and paying off his mountainous debt.

He contacted the Advertiser after reading the heartbreaking story of Mark and Samantha Robson, from Royton, who earlier this year revealed that medicine that was supposed to help Mark’s Parkinson’s may have wrecked their lives.

After being diagnosed with the disease, Mark became addicted to gambling and worked his way through £80,000, bankrupting his wife’s business and nearly costing them their home.

Mark has teamed up with other UK Parkinson’s sufferers with similar stories to launch a compensation claim against the manufacturer of the drug.

Their tale had real resonance with Jack, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six years ago.

"For me the medication had a massive affect straight away, but I didn’t realise until it was too late," said Jack, of Park Way. "I started spending money left, right and centre and became addicted to internet shopping channels. At one point I had nine credit cards full of these gadgets I’d bought but didn’t need. They just sat in the house."

Jack also claims that his medication may have also had extreme side affects that resulted in hallucinations.

He said: "It was frightening. I was sat in my chair and seeing these strange figures in the room. I was so terrified I refused to move and sat in the chair for an entire day. That’s when I started to get help and was told of similar compulsive behaviour.

"It’s comforting to know there are others out there. I can’t explain how frightening this has all been."

Jack, who is unemployed, is now in contact with the same firm of solicitors which is dealing with Mark Robson’s claim.