Drug user stole wallet and money from paramedic's jacket in Bridgnorth
A drug user stole a wallet from an ambulance as paramedics helped treat a patient inside a hospital for chest pains, a court was told.
Scott William Taylor opened the unlocked passenger door of the parked emergency vehicle and rummaged through a jacket pocket before taking off with a wallet containing £15 in cash.
A court heard that Taylor was desperate for cash so that he could buy drugs and took the opportunity to steal the wallet from the empty ambulance.
He claimed he was now "disgusted" with his actions and regretted taking the wallet.
The theft took place while paramedic and ambulance driver Daniel Stretton treated a patient inside the minor injuries unit in Bridgnorth.
Mr Stretton was just leaving the unit as Taylor made away from the scene, at Bridgnorth Community Hospital. He then chased Taylor down the street, who told him the real thief had ran off in the other direction.
Mr Stretton, having lost sight of Taylor, then asked his control room to call the police.
He was arrested later and admitted taking the wallet.
The theft happened at the hospital in Northgate on April 25, Telford Magistrates Court was told.
Taylor, 26, of Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, was handed a community order for six months.
He was also given a rehabilitation order and ordered to pay a £180 criminal courts charge, costs of £135, compensation of £30 and a victim surcharge of £20.
He pleaded guilty to the offence at the first instance, the court was told.
A witness statement read to the court also confirmed that Taylor had been seen "rummaging through a jacket pocket" inside the ambulance.
The court was told CCTV footage had captured him walking away with the wallet, before looking inside it.
Mr Jamie Wade, for Taylor, said the defendant had began stealing to fund his drug habit and at one point had spent up to £300 a day on crack cocaine.
Mr Wade said: "He is disgusted that he stole from a paramedic. He has now turned a corner."