STV NewsA nurse was caught stealing boxes of medicine from a hospital on her day off.
Connie Campbell, 26, was discovered by colleagues at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on June 12 last year.
The 26-year-old wore her NHS uniform and entered a treatment room where medication was stored.
Campbell, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, lied that she was there for a patient.
She went on to hide in a toilet, changed into her normal clothes before she was caught with 20-30 boxes in her handbag.
Campbell pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of theft.
The court heard that Campbell – described as a bank nurse who takes temporary shifts – was seen in ward 9C, which stores medication.
Prosecutor Metja Bowes said: “Campbell was looking through the cupboards.
“A witness did not recognise her but saw that she was in NHS uniform.”
Campbell was asked if she needed any help as it appeared questionable why she was there.
But, the nurse insisted on being “fine” and claimed to be working in a neighbouring ward.
Ms Bowes added: “Campbell stated that she was there to borrow some medication for a patient.”
After Campbell left the room, it was noticed a considerable amount of medication was not there.
Campbell was then spotted with a box of medicine in her pocket, and security was alerted.
Ms Bowes said: “Campbell fled the room and ran into the hallway of the main corridor.
“She thereafter locked herself in the staff toilets.”
In the meantime, a check was made, and it was discovered that no bank nurse was on shift in the ward that day.
Campbell was found as she left the toilet – but was in her own clothes.
Ms Bowes said: “Campbell was asked to present her handbag for an inspection and there [were] 20-30 medication boxes within.
“This was valued between £500 to £1,000.”
The boxes were described to the court as being over-the-counter medication.
Campbell was arrested before she was released from custody to appear in court.
Sheriff Mark McGuire put Campbell under supervision for 18 months and ordered her to do 120 hours of unpaid work at the sentencing hearing.
The sheriff said: “This was a serious offence which involved a gross breach of trust.
“I recognise at the time that you were suffering from significant mental health issues.
“Nevertheless, it does not excuse in any way, shape or form what you did.
“I believe there is an alternative to custody but if you breach the order you will go to prison.”
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