A shameless thief who attacked a woman after she caught him breaking into a car and stole from staff at Tameside Hospital has been jailed.
Sonny James Shockledge sneaked into the staff area of the hospital's shop and snatched a handbag containing a mobile phone and car keys.
The 36-year-old then went outside and found the vehicle parked up and drove off in it.
Tameside Magistrates Court also heard how a day earlier Shockledge, of Assheton Close in Ashton-under-Lyne, assaulted a woman who caught him stealing from inside a car.
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He also faced charges of attempting to possess a controlled Class B drug (amphetamine), theft from a shop after four boxes of chocolate were stolen from Poundland, and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order by entering Ashton town centre despite being banned.
Shockledge originally pleaded guilty to four out of seven offences, but was sentenced for all and given eight months in prison.
Ashton-under-Lyne inspector Lee Derbyshire says he would have welcomed a lengthier sentence for Shockledge.
He added: "These offences were committed by Shockledge with complete disregard for the impact his offending would have on innocent members of the public, whom he variously stole from, assaulted and caused significant distress to.
"Our hospital in particular should be a safe space for all, and the shameless intrusion and theft of property and a vehicle from a person working there, and the offences in the town centre, have caused considerable inconvenience, disruption and loss for which I would have welcomed a lengthier custodial sentence."
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