Man who went on spending spree after stealing nurse’s purse at hospital jailed for nine months

A 32-year-old man who stole a purse from a nurse working at a Warrington hospital and then went on an illegal spending spree has been jailed for nine months.

At 11.40 am on Tuesday 26 April, police were called by a nurse who reported that her purse had been stolen from the nurse’s station.

The victim also reported that her cards had been used to make a number of fraudulent purchases.

Following enquiries, officers arrested a 32-year-old man from Widnes in connection with the incident.

Shaun Clare, of Plumpton Mews, was subsequently charged with burglary other than a dwelling and three counts of fraud by false representation.

In addition, he was also charged with a number of other offences for unrelated incidents – these included breach of a criminal behaviour order, two counts of theft from a shop, two counts of vehicle interference, two counts of theft from a shop and an addition count of burglary other than a dwelling.

Clare appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court where he was he pleaded guilty to all of the offences and was sentenced to a total of 36 weeks (nine months) in prison.

He was also ordered to pay £134 compensation and £156 victims surcharge.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Lauren Henthorn, of Widnes Proactive Policing Team, said: “The victim, in this case, was working to provide essential care to patients, while Clare was out on a spending spree using her hard-earned money.

“Thankfully, as a result of the information she provided and the evidence gathered by the team here at Widnes, Clare is back behind bars and facing the consequences of his actions.”