Hospital worker who used dead patient's bank card 20 minutes after she died avoids jail

A hospital worker who used a dead patient's bank card to buy crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks just minutes after she passed away has avoided jail.

Healthcare assistant Ayesha Basharat, 23, took the 83-year-old woman’s card after she died at Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital on 24 January.

Basharat, who was working on a COVID ward at the time, then helped herself to several snacks from a hospital vending machine.

A doctor recorded the OAP's death at 1.56pm and Basharat was captured on camera just 17 minutes later making six £1 contactless purchases.

She later made another £1 purchase that evening and tried again twice when she next returned to work four days later on 28 January.

But by that time the card had been cancelled and police arrested her during her shift when she was still in possession of the victim’s card.

Basharat, of Farm Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, initially claimed she found it on the floor and got it “muddled up” with her own card when paying.

But a court heard how the bank cards were different colours and that Basharat had ignored hospital protocol around patient lost property.

Basharat went on to admit theft and fraud by false representation at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

She avoided jail after being sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Detective Constable Andrew Snowdon, from West Midlands Police, said: “This was an abhorrent breach of trust and distressing for the victim’s family.

“They were having to come to terms with the death of a loved one from COVID when they found the bank card missing – and then of course the realisation that the card was taken by someone who should have been caring for her.

“Our hospital liaison officer worked closely with Heartlands security team to gather evidence in this case.

"I’d like to thank them and the victim’s family for their support during the investigation.

“I wish the family all the best for the future and with this conviction hope they can move on from this upsetting episode.”

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