Coronavirus: Man who stole protective equipment from ambulance outside hospital jailed

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A man who stole protective equipment and hand sanitiser from an ambulance has been jailed amid a spate of coronavirus-related thefts and assaults.

Mark Manley, 35, targeted an ambulance parked outside Guy’s Hospital in London on Saturday evening.

“When challenged by security staff, the suspect assaulted one security worker and racially abused another,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said.

“The suspect had taken a bag containing personal protection equipment [PPE] from the vehicle.

“Items taken included masks, paper suits and hand gel. Some of the items were rendered no longer usable due to contamination.”

Manley was detained by security guards and a passing British Transport Police patrol.

He was arrested for theft from a motor vehicle, two public order offences and assault against an emergency worker in relation to the security guard, who suffered facial injuries.

Manley, of no fixed address, was jailed for six months after admitting theft and assault at Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday.

It is one of numerous cases involving attacks on ambulances or paramedics during the coronavirus outbreak.

On Wednesday, a man was arrested on suspicion of vandalising eight ambulances in Kent- putting them out of service.

In Kirkby, Merseyside, face masks and gloves were stolen from an NHS work van sometime overnight between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Chief Inspector Phil Mullally said: “This equipment is vital in allowing NHS staff to complete their job and in the current climate where we are supposed to be supporting each other and working together, it is upsetting to see this sort of crime has taken place.”

At the start of the UK coronavirus outbreak, there were reports of numerous thefts of hand sanitiser and protective equipment from hospitals, sparking emotional appeals by doctors.

Following incidents where paramedics and police officers had been deliberately coughed on by people claiming to be infected, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that such incidents would be charged as assault on an emergency worker and punished by up to two years imprisonment.

Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley said one of his officers had to self-isolate away from his ill mother after being spat and coughed at.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “The officer is a primary carer for his mother who has cancer. He will now need to self isolate and will no longer be able to care for his mum.

”Full welfare support put in place and we will support his mum where we can. We are working with the CPS to expedite such cases and to ensure that the maximum penalties and sanctions are imposed.

“Disgusting, demeaning and potentially life threatening assault on our colleague.”

Meanwhile, Lancashire Police said Callum Heaton, 23, had been jailed for 12 months for spitting at two officers while claiming he was infected with the virus.

Heaton, who was arrested for being drunk and disorderly in Burnley on Saturday, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency worker and one of criminal damage at Burnley Magistrates' Court on Monday.

A spokesperson Lancashire Constabulary said: “It is totally unacceptable that police and other front line workers who are doing their best to keep our communities safe are treated like this.”

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Wales reported pharmacists were also facing abusive and aggressive behaviour.

Director of the society, Elen Jones, said: “I have been shocked to hear of pharmacy teams being verbally abused and even spat at.

”I have also heard of fights starting outside pharmacy premises. This is totally unacceptable behaviour.

“Community pharmacists and their teams are doing everything they possibly can to help in very difficult circumstances.

”They are under significant pressure and they need the help of the public so they can continue to provide vital healthcare support."

Additional reporting by PA