Coronavirus: Hospital worker charged with theft of PPE and food donations

Stephen Fuller, 64, is due to appear before Guildford Magistrates' Court.

Stephen Fuller, 64, has been charged with the theft of PPE including masks and gloves

A 64-year-old hospital worker has been charged with the theft of personal protective equipment (PPE) at a hospital in Surrey.

Stephen Fuller, of Buckland Way, Worcester Park, London, was arrested following an investigation by Surrey Police over the alleged theft from Epsom General Hospital.

The police were contacted after hospital staff noticed a spate of thefts of PPE including gloves and masks had taken place over the course of a few months.

The 64-year-old has been charged with theft by an employee, while Christine Dolan, 60, of the same address, has been charged with handling stolen goods.

A force spokesman said: “The hospital alerted police to the thefts which are believed to have taken place on a number of occasions between January and April.”

He added that as well as stealing PPE, the man is accused of taking food donations.

The pair have been remanded in custody to appear before Guildford Magistrates’ Court.

There have been several cases where people have tried to steal PPE from hospitals ambulances.

Earlier this month a man was arrested after stealing protective equipment and hand sanitiser from an ambulance.

Additional reporting by PA