A brazen Dundee thief stole medical equipment from Ninewells Hospital — while his partner was giving birth to their child.
Andrew Whyte, 35, of North William Street in the Hilltown, admitted the offence during an appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The court heard he stole medication and test tubes from the hospital on November 25 2015, while his partner was in labour.
He was blasted for his “shocking” actions after being handed 135 hours of unpaid work by Sheriff Tom Hughes for the offence.
Councillor Ken Lynn, chairman of the Dundee health and social care integrated joint board, who also attends NHS Tayside board meetings, hit out at the theft.
He said: “It’s appalling and horrible to hear of someone having the nerve to do it while his partner was in labour.
“It’s very rare to hear of these sort of things happening as there are robust procedures in place — but it’s impossible to put all medical equipment on lockdown, so you have to be able to trust people in hospitals.
“It’s a very low thing to do and I am happy the man received an appropriate punishment.
“I just hope he buckles down to the unpaid work.”
Bill Bowman, MSP for the North East, told the Tele: “It’s hugely important that any form of crime is dealt with appropriately and theft is no different.
“It makes it all the more shocking that while NHS Tayside were spending both time and resources on providing a safe birth, this certain individual was stealing from them.
“NHS Tayside has been struggling for some time now, and it can ill-afford chancing individuals attempting to steal important equipment.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “We take thefts very seriously as any theft from NHS Tayside can potentially have an impact on frontline healthcare services.
“NHS Tayside regularly promotes the message that ‘security is everyone’s responsibility’ and both staff and members of the public can all play their part in reducing theft.”
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