Hospital worker in Birmingham on COVID ward used dead patient's bank card to buy crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks from vending machine | UK News | Sky News
Hospital worker in Birmingham on COVID ward used dead patient's bank card to buy crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks from vending machine
Ayesha Basharat told police she had found the card on the floor and got it "muddled up" with her own card when it came to paying.
Thursday 10 June 2021 12:01, UK
Birmingham
Basharat using the stolen bank card at a vending machine. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:
Ayesha Basharat using the stolen bank card at a vending machine at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Pic: West Midlands Police
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A healthcare assistant working on a COVID ward has been convicted of using a dead patient's bank card to buy crisps, fizzy drinks and sweets from a hospital vending machine.
Ayesha Basharat, 23, took the card from an 83-year-old woman who had recently passed away at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.
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A doctor recorded her time of death as 1.56pm on 24 January, but just 17 minutes later, Basharat made six £1 purchases using the vending machine's contactless payment system.
Ayesha Basharat was given a suspended jail term. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:
Ayesha Basharat was given a suspended jail term after admitting theft and fraud by false representation. Pic: West Midlands Police
She then made another £1 purchase later in the evening, and then tried again twice when she went back to work four days later - but the card had been cancelled by the family by that point.
Basharat, of Farm Road, Birmingham, was arrested during her shift on 28 January on Ward One, and still had the patient's card on her.
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She initially told police that she had found the card on the floor, and got it "muddled up" with her own card when it came to paying for the snacks.
Basharat appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, where the jury heard that the cards were different colours, and that she had ignored the rules around patient lost property.
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She admitted theft and fraud by false representation, and was given two, five-month jail terms to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months.
Investigating officer DC Andrew Snowdon, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "This was an abhorrent breach of trust and distressing for the victim's family.
"They were having to come to terms with the death of a loved one from COVID when they found the bank card missing - and then of course the realisation that the card was taken by someone who should have been caring for her.
"Our Hospital Liaison Officer worked closely with Heartlands security team to gather evidence in this case. I'd like to thank them and the victim's family for their support during the investigation.
"I wish the family all the best for the future and with this conviction hope they can move on from this upsetting episode."
Ayesha Basharat told police she had found the card on the floor and got it "muddled up" with her own card when it came to paying.
Thursday 10 June 2021 12:01, UK
Birmingham
Basharat using the stolen bank card at a vending machine. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:
Ayesha Basharat using the stolen bank card at a vending machine at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Pic: West Midlands Police
Why you can trust Sky News
A healthcare assistant working on a COVID ward has been convicted of using a dead patient's bank card to buy crisps, fizzy drinks and sweets from a hospital vending machine.
Ayesha Basharat, 23, took the card from an 83-year-old woman who had recently passed away at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.
Sponsored link
Mind Blowing: #1 Antivirus Now Free For Mac Users.
Mind Blowing: #1 Antivirus Now Free For Mac Users.
My Antivirus Review
Recommended by
A doctor recorded her time of death as 1.56pm on 24 January, but just 17 minutes later, Basharat made six £1 purchases using the vending machine's contactless payment system.
Ayesha Basharat was given a suspended jail term. Pic: West Midlands Police
Image:
Ayesha Basharat was given a suspended jail term after admitting theft and fraud by false representation. Pic: West Midlands Police
She then made another £1 purchase later in the evening, and then tried again twice when she went back to work four days later - but the card had been cancelled by the family by that point.
Basharat, of Farm Road, Birmingham, was arrested during her shift on 28 January on Ward One, and still had the patient's card on her.
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She initially told police that she had found the card on the floor, and got it "muddled up" with her own card when it came to paying for the snacks.
Basharat appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, where the jury heard that the cards were different colours, and that she had ignored the rules around patient lost property.
More on Birmingham
Dea-John Reid killing: Two teenagers charged over fatal stabbing of 14-year-old in Birmingham
Dea-John Reid killing: Two more teenage boys arrested on suspicion of murder
Dea-John Reid killing: Mother of stab victim reveals heartbreak, saying 'I sent my son to play football and he didn't come home'
Dea-John Reid: Man charged with murder of 14-year-old stabbed to death in Birmingham
Birmingham stabbing victim named as Dea-John Reid, 14, as police investigate racist abuse claims
Charges for drivers in Birmingham's Clean Air Zone delayed by two weeks in 'soft launch'
She admitted theft and fraud by false representation, and was given two, five-month jail terms to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months.
Investigating officer DC Andrew Snowdon, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "This was an abhorrent breach of trust and distressing for the victim's family.
"They were having to come to terms with the death of a loved one from COVID when they found the bank card missing - and then of course the realisation that the card was taken by someone who should have been caring for her.
"Our Hospital Liaison Officer worked closely with Heartlands security team to gather evidence in this case. I'd like to thank them and the victim's family for their support during the investigation.
"I wish the family all the best for the future and with this conviction hope they can move on from this upsetting episode."
