A man has admitted stealing an ambulance from Royal Stoke University Hospital while a patient was still being treated inside. Marshall Leese, 32, of Hanley entered his plea at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Tuesday.
Arrest and charges
Leese pleaded guilty to a string of offences: aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, false imprisonment, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without third-party insurance. He has been remanded and will be sentenced at a later date.
How events unfolded
Staffordshire Police say the incident happened on 25 March when an ambulance was parked in a triage bay at the hospital with the vehicle in a 'run lock' setting, which keeps the engine running while allowing keys to be removed. Officers allege Leese entered the cab while a paramedic was attending to a patient in the rear and drove the vehicle away.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 March | Ambulance taken from Royal Stoke triage bay |
| Same day | Vehicle abandoned at Esso on London Road, Chesterton |
| Same day | Suspect located in nearby woodland by police dog |
The ambulance was tracked by officers; according to police it cuts out after a period in the run-lock mode. The vehicle was later found abandoned at the Esso petrol station on London Road in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Leese fled into nearby woodland but was located by a police dog and handler. Police say the dog bit Leese on the hand after he failed to follow instructions.
"This incident could have ended very differently and I'm pleased that no one was hurt as a result of Leese's actions," said Detective Constable Lili Rose Gregory of Staffordshire Police's criminal investigations department.
Investigation and evidence
A police spokesperson said Leese initially denied involvement, claiming he had been cycling in the area and was searching for a friend when he was approached by the dog. Investigators say they compiled conclusive evidence which led to the charges and the guilty pleas in court.
- No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
- The accused has been remanded pending sentencing.
- Police continue to rely on witness accounts, vehicle tracking and canine evidence in the case record.
The sentencing date has not yet been fixed. The case highlights concerns about the security of emergency vehicles when left running while crews attend to patients and may prompt operational reviews by ambulance services and hospitals.
