A DESPICABLE thief has been condemned for heaping unnecessary "suffering" on frontline carers at Atherstone's main hospital as the nation rose to applaud the NHS last night.

George Eliot Hospital's managing director David Eltringham blasted Wayne Harvey for his "appalling" act against hard-working staff as the crook started an eight-month sentence behind bars for his crime.

Homeless Harvey went into the Nuneaton hospital's Accident and Emergency department on Wednesday and stole a staff member's handbag and then bit a security guard who tried to stop him fleeing the premises.

Harvey, 32, admitted theft and assaulting an emergency worker at Coventry Magistrates Court yesterday and was jailed for 31 weeks.

His punishment came a few hours before the whole of the UK gave a rousing "round of applause" in a 'Clap for our Carers' tribute, saluting NHS and care workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Eltringham said: "Our teams should be applauded for their contribution to protecting our community, not being made to suffer by offences such as this.

"I am appalled by this crime against our hard-working staff who are giving their all on the front line during this time of national crisis.

"We ask our staff to be vigilant at all times when on site and we give our full support to the police and courts in dealing with any crime against our workers."

Bedworth PC Nicola Cairns said: "These would have been despicable crimes at the best of times.

"However, given they were committed against hospital workers who are on the frontline in protecting people from the global pandemic makes it even worse.

"We take great pride in supporting our colleagues in the health service at this extremely challenging time and in ensuring hospitals are safe places to work and visit."