A MAN who stole from a hospital visitor has appeared in court.

Christopher Billings, 25, was before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He had previously admitted the theft from Dewsbury and District Hospital on September 25.

On that date he stole a woman’s bag containing £95 in cash.

Billings, of Sefton Street in Leeds, had been due to be sentenced by magistrates.

However he was unable to attend an appointment so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.

The Huddersfield court was told that Billings had suffered a particularly bad run of luck at the time.

Billings’ solicitor Hannah Bray said that he had previously been in hospital after suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

He was then offered an appointment with the probation service at a later date, but became ill again.

Ms Bray said: “After being discharged from hospital he had complications, an abscess, and had to undergo surgery.

“When he was released he found that his house had been burgled.

“He was given emergency accommodation and was unable to contact probation.”

Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case until July 30, when Billings is likely to be finally sentenced.

His bail conditions are residence and to comply with the Drug Intervention Programme team.