A hospital worker has been branded the 'lowest of the low' after using a dead patient's bank card to buy sweets and drinks from a vending machine, only minutes after she died.
Healthcare assistant Ayesha Basharat took the 83-year-old's card after she died at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, on January 24.
Only 17 minutes later she used the dead woman's card several times to make £1 purchases using a vending machine's contactless touch pad.
The 23-year-old then made another purchase that same evening before trying again when she returned to work on January 28 but the card had been cancelled.
She was then arrested whilst on duty on Ward One.
Basharat, of Farm Road, Sparkhill, admitted theft and fraud by false representation at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday and she was given two five-month jail terms to run concurrently, both suspended for 18 months.
Readers of Birmingham Live took to Facebook to express their disgust at the shameful crime.
Angi Rogers said: “And this person was trusted with the care of a vulnerable elderly lady?"
Shazia Hussain said: “How disgusting. Was it worth the few crisps & pops. I didn’t know how some people can do this?
Jamie Brain said: “Career over what a silly girl.”
Shelly Hussain posted: “How disgusting. Was it worth the few crisps & pops?"
“I don’t know how some people can do this. She was left to care for these elderly and vulnerable. Makes me sick reading this!!”
Lee Dodds wrote: “Lowest of the low that is.”
Nikki Ryan posted: “Wow all that hard work looking after covid patients just means nothing now. What a vile person.”
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