A burglar has been jailed for 15 months after he was caught trying door handles in the out-patient department at Dewsbury District Hospital the night after he was spotted in a laundry.
Leeds Crown Court heard Paul Darren Armitage had 40 previous convictions for 96 offences including burglary on his record.
On November 18 last year about 10pm he and another intruder were seen in the laundry room of Cullingworth House at the hospital.
They had climbed in through an insecure window armed with a crowbar and Armitage was crouched on top of a drier with the other man at the side trying to force open the machine to get money inside.
The following day Armitage was back at the hospital and was seen by a security guard trying handles in an area of the out-patient department which was closed and usually locked.
When confronted he began struggling and continued to struggle when police officers arrived. When he eventually calmed down he claimed only to be there for blood test.
Christopher Moran representing Armitage said he had gone back to heroin after his girlfriend left him but since on remand had not only come off heroin but off methadone as well.
He had used his time in prison to go on courses and was now hopeful he had turned his life around.
Armitage, 34, of Windy Bank Lane, Hightown, Liversedge admitted burglary with intent and was jailed for 15 months.
Recorder Tony Hawks said staff at hospitals wanted to be treating people and saving lives not finding him “lurking” around the place looking for property to steal.
But he accepted he had used the time on remand well and said the sentence would mean he would not be there much longer. “It is then up to you.”
