Yahoo News Man jailed for stealing face masks from Lambeth's Kings College Hospital during coronavirus crisis
A thief who stole face masks from a south London hospital during the coronavirus crisis has been jailed for three months.
Lerun Hussain, 34, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to theft.
Police were called to King’s College Hospital, in Lambeth, at around 11.20am on Sunday after Hussain stole three face masks.
Hussain, from Clapham, was detained by hospital security staff before being arrested on suspicion of theft.
He was also detained for being in breach of a court order, Met Police said.
Meanwhile, a doctors’ surgery in Kidderminster has urged thieves to return its only box of face masks after it was stolen from the practice.
Church Street Surgery said the protective equipment was necessary to keep the practice open after it was taken on Tuesday.
Since a social media appeal, the surgery said it had received a number of individual face mask donations which meant it could still continue to offer services.
The box of protective equipment had been donated by a local dental practice the day before.
West Mercia Police said they were aware of a reported theft and would be visiting the surgery on Wednesday.
Inspector Dave King, of the Kidderminster Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “My team is aware of the reported theft of face masks from the Church Street Surgery in Kidderminster and while not officially reported to us yet, we will be visiting the staff today.
“In these challenging and difficult times, the theft of vital medical equipment is going to add further strain and demand to the health service and the people looking after our welfare.
“While a crime like this is naturally going to upset and concern many in our community who see NHS staff risking their lives every day, the vast majority of people are doing all they can to support each other however they can.”
Read more
How is the UK preparing for coronavirus?
How to self-isolate- if you are asked to
