A MAN who burgled the Macmillan Cancer Care Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital has been jailed for eight months.
Preston Crown Court heard how David Brewer stole two DVD players, an iPod, cash and MP3 players from the ward, apparently moving around with ease.
He already had numerous previous convictions for burglary when he was caught on CCTV carrying out his latest raid in July.
Brewer, 30, admitted the burglary which the court was told caused a lot of disruption. The DVD players, in particular, were used to give patients information about treatment when they entered that ward.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said it was a mean offence. The defendant had entered the unit on July 22 and spent around 20 minutes in there.
The property amounted to not much more than £250, but their theft caused a lot of heartache.
When arrested and interviewed, Brewer denied stealing anything. He claimed: “I just went in to see if my mate was in there. There was no-one about so I left.”
Just weeks before the burglary he had been given a suspended sentence by Fylde magistrates for offences of damage and common assault.
Kamaldeep Desai, defending, said Brewer’s life had been blighted by drugs. He was ashamed of the offence.
Following his release from prison, when he was given the suspended sentence, the defendant was homeless, without benefits and without medication.
Mr Desai said: “Unfortunately he ended up resorting back to dishonesty to fund his drug difficulties.
“He recognises that hospitals, whatever wing or unit, are places of sanctuary and safety for members of society who should feel safe and those working there should be respected and treated accordingly.
Judge Anthony Russell QC told Brewer “Any offence of theft from hospital premises is disgraceful. I have no doubt your activities will have caused great distress.”
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