A prolific shoplifter who regularly slept in Leeds General Infirmary stole a nurse's packed lunch from a staff-only area.
Leeds Crown Court heard Ryan O'Gorman was homeless and hungry when he stole a foil-covered sandwich and a yogurt.
The 44-year-old has 33 previous convictions for 93 offences and was on police bail for shoplifting at the time of the burglary on August 28 this year.
He was jailed for a year and four months today (Tuesday) after pleading guilty to burglary and theft from a shop.
Prosecutor Chloe Hudson said a nurse saw O'Gorman in a doorway in a staff-only area in the hospital's Martin Wing and knew he was not allowed to be in that part of the building.
Security staff apprehended him in another staff room and called police.
O'Gorman dropped a sandwich wrapped in tinfoil and a yogurt when officers arrived.
The nurse's packed lunch was missing from a bag on a shelf.
Ms Hudson said the defendant has previously been removed from the hospital for sleeping in it.
At 1.20pm on July 29 this year, O'Gorman put £89 worth of various beauty items into his bag in the Bodycare store in the St John's Centre on Merrion Street and tried to walk out.
He was stopped by security before being arrested and later released on bail pending further investigation.
In his police interview, he said he had slept in the hospital, did not realise he had gone into a staff-only area and took the food because he was hungry.
He also said he entered the Bodycare store with the intent to steal to get money for food and housing.
Fifty-three of his previous offences are for theft and similar offences, including stealing medication.
Mark Foley, mitigating, said his client stole 'very limited and low-value' items after being released from custody and struggling to find accommodation due to the government's coronavirus restrictions.
He said the defendant got to the stage where he 'just gave up' and was 'effectively living at the hospital'.
