A man has been handed a 20 weeks custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, 300 hours unpaid work and told to pay £1,616.70 compensation after a defibrillator was taken from a paramedic and damaged.
Harry Williams appeared before Leicester Magistrates today, Monday 6 February, where he pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage of a defibrillator and other equipment.
The incident took place on Sunday 4 December when an ambulance was parked in Hinckley town centre.
Williams took the defibrillator whilst a paramedic was treating a patient and the lifesaving equipment was later found damaged, with no batteries and covered in urine.
Cost of a new defibrillator is around £13,000.
Mark Gregory General Manager for Leicestershire: “It is the appalling theft of a lifesaving piece of equipment and the disgusting act of urinating on it. Our staff work tirelessly to help people often in difficult circumstances and do not deserve to be treated in this way.
Sean Keown, Local Security Management Specialist at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Defibrillators are very expensive pieces of equipment, and Mr Williams actions deprived the community of that piece of lifesaving equipment until it could be cleaned and repaired. We are pleased with the sentence as it is fair.
“We appreciate that Mr Williams approached us afterward to apologise for what happened and he realises the seriousness of the situation.
“We are seeing an increase in criminal damage to our vehicles and equipment. We take a zero tolerance approach to any incidents of abuse towards our staff, and any damage caused to vehicles and equipment, and we will take action and seek prosecution such as in this case.”