Marshall Leese, 32, stole a life-saving NHS ambulance from a triage bay outside Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, at 8.15pm on March 25. A patient, a paramedic, and a third person were all still inside the vehicle.
Theft and Pursuit
The ambulance was parked in run-lock mode, which keeps the engine running but allows the keys to be removed. Leese climbed into the driver's seat and drove away while the paramedic was treating the patient in the back. When the alarm was raised, police pursued the ambulance until Leese stopped at a petrol station on the A34 in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Arrest and Guilty Pleas
Leese abandoned the vehicle at the Esso petrol station and ran into nearby woodland. He was found by police dog Foxy and bitten on the hand after failing to comply with instructions. At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Leese admitted false imprisonment, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen, and driving without insurance.
Judge Sally Hancox described the incident as "unusual" and remanded Leese into custody, adjourning the case for sentencing on a date to be fixed. West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatched a second ambulance to collect the patient and return them to hospital for treatment.
Det Con Lili Rose Gregory of Staffordshire Police said: "This incident could have ended very differently and I'm pleased that no-one was hurt as a result of Leese's actions."
