A HOSPITAL worker stole an iPod from a dead woman on Christmas Day.
He had the chance to hand the stolen item back after the act of "betrayal and deception" so it could be given to the patient's family, but it was lost forever after he later panicked and hurled it into the River Freshney, a court heard.
Leslie Ashford, 44, of Alexandra Road, Grimsby, admitted stealing an iPod, valued at £190, belonging to Thomas Fox.
After the hearing at Grimsby Magistrates Court, Ashford tearfully told the Telegraph: "I am extremely regretful for what I have done to her family and what I have put my family through."
Martin Howarth, prosecuting, said Ashford had worked at the time as a healthcare assistant at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, where he had been for about 20 years.
He stole the iPod from the possessions of Patricia Isherwood, 57, of Scartho, Grimsby, who had died on Christmas Eve.
The iPod had been given to her by her uncle, Mr Fox, who had himself since died, and it had been bought for him by his children three years earlier.
The iPod had family mementos, photographs, films and songs on it.
Ashford's wife, who worked on the same ward, found the iPod and took it to the hospital, asking if it was the one staff were looking for but Ashford insisted it was his and that he had receipts for it.
"He chose to throw it in the River Freshney and it was completely lost," said Mr Howarth.
Ashford later admitted he put the iPod in his tunic while he and a colleague were dealing with Mrs Isherwood's belongings, including the iPod, cash, a purse and a mobile phone.
He later claimed he confused the iPod with his own mobile phone because they had similar cases. He found it in his pocket at the end of his shift.
"I panicked and took it home," he told police.
Sean Conway, mitigating, said Ashford claimed he initially did not act dishonestly but was negligent in not carrying out his ward duties properly.
He claimed he forgot he had put the iPod in his tunic but admitted "lying and trying to make excuses" later.
"He is aware fully of the distress caused to the family of the people involved in this, not just to the family but also to his colleagues.
"It was an act of betrayal and deception."
Ashford had been sacked from his job at the hospital but was working elsewhere, said Mr Conway.
Ashford told the Telegraph: "I have deep regret at the mistake I made and my subsequent foolish and stupid actions.
"I wished I could turn back the clock but I had started on a path and I couldn't see a way to right it.
"I am sorry for the extra suffering I have caused."
"I lost my dad a couple of years ago and that's difficult enough without the extra trauma I have put them through.
"I never met the patient. I didn't know her. I had just had a week's holiday and never nursed her.
"I spent 20 years caring for people and helping them with grieving.
"I can't reconcile myself with what I have done to them and to my family.
"I take my punishment. I hope they can get some comfort from being in court and seeing that. They can move on."
He added that his wife had also lost her job at the hospital – even though she was the one who took the iPod in.
"She did the honourable and honest thing," he said.Ashford was given 250 hours' unpaid work and was ordered to pay £190 compensation to the estate of the victim, £85 costs and a Government-imposed £60 victims' surcharge.
The woman's daughter Kelly Isherwood, said after the hearing: "It makes me sick. He was in a position of trust.
"He was meant to be caring for the sick and for those who have passed away.
"He totally disrespected the memory of her."
The case was so upsetting that even an experienced magistrate found herself struggling to cope with the shocking nature of it. Presiding magistrate Jo Walker told Leslie Ashford: "I am almost at a loss for words. The family described this as despicable and disgusting. "In your job, you were in a caring position and this, personally to me, seemed so heartless. "We feel it was a breach of trust, even though your victim had died. "There just isn't any compensation. You threw away that family's history. There were family photos." By throwing the iPod in to the River Freshney, the family could not get back those memories, said Mrs Walker. "The family, I can't imagine how heartbroken they were" she said. "I can't bring myself to say anything else." Addressing members of the bereaved family in the public gallery, Mrs Walker said: "To the family, my heartfelt, heartfelt condolences. I am so sorry."