Man jailed for stealing A&E receptionist’s handbag at coronavirus-hit hospital

A man who stole an A&E receptionist’s handbag from a hospital tackling the coronavirus outbreak has been jailed for 31 weeks.

Wayne Harvey, 32, was charged with theft and assaulting an emergency worker after an incident at the George Eliot Hospital early on Wednesday morning.

Harvey, who was high on drugs, entered the Accident and Emergency department at around 5.40am and stole the bag from behind reception, Warwickshire Police said.

He then bit a hospital security guard who tried to stop him fleeing, in what officers called a “despicable” crime.

Harvey, of no fixed address, appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he admitted the two charges, the court’s administrative staff said.

He was jailed for 17 weeks for assault and a further 14 weeks for the theft, to be served concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay a £149 victim surcharge.

The George Eliot Hospital, in Nuneaton, is among those on the front line of efforts in treating patients who have contracted Covid-19.

On Sunday, the NHS hospital trust said two elderly patients with serious underlying health conditions had died after testing positive for coronavirus.

To date, four people being treated at the hospital have died after testing positive for the disease.

Pc Nicola Cairns, of Warwickshire Police, said: “These would have been despicable crimes at the best of times.

“However, given they were committed against hospital workers who are on the front line in protecting people from the global pandemic makes it even worse.”

David Eltringham, George Eliot Hospital’s managing director, said: “I am appalled by this crime against our hard-working staff who are giving their all on the front line during this time of national crisis.

“Our teams should be applauded for their contribution to protecting our community, not being made to suffer by offences such as this.

“We ask our staff to be vigilant at all times when on site and we give our full support to the police and courts in dealing with any crime against our workers."