A hospital worker stole a patient’s wallet and then used his cash card to withdraw hundreds of pounds from an ARI bank machine.
Occupational therapist Ismael Lavares pocketed the patient’s belongings then brazenly went to downstairs to a bank machine within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and took out £500 in cash.
The 42-year-old appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted stealing from the man, who had been admitted to his ward after suffering a collapse.
Lavares’ crimes didn’t stop there – the day after he stole from the man he also withdrew £60 cash from an ATM in Aberdeen city centre.
Victim was alerted to fraud by bank
Fiscal depute Andrew McMann told the court that on May 9 2020 a patient was admitted to ARI after he had collapsed.
“At the time, the accused was employed as an occupational therapist who screened patients as they were admitted,” he said.
“Due to the patient being brought to his ward, he (Lavares) screened the complainer and his personal possessions were placed close to the hospital bed.
“When he (the patient) was moved to another ward he noticed that several bank cards and his wallet were missing and had been taken by the accused.
“He was then contacted by his bank who alerted him to fraudulent transactions on his account.
“One transaction was with ARI at the time and had been captured on CCTV.”
Mr McMann added that when police arrested Lavares, he stated: “I need to know what is actually happening.”
The court heard that after taking the bankcards, Lavares went downstairs to the cash machine at the Marks and Spencer store within ARI and withdrew £500.
The following day he then used a different bank card to remove a further £60 from the patient’s account. Lavares pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of bank cards, a wallet, cash and paper.
He also admitted two charges of fraud by withdrawing cash from the man’s bank account at two ATMs in Aberdeen.
‘A serious breach of trust’
It was stated that Lavares – who represented himself – had written a note to the court expressing his remorse towards his actions.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston described Lavares actions as a “serious breach of trust”.
She deferred sentence on Lavares, of Market Stance, Aberdeen, in order to carry out a criminal justice social work report.
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