A man from Hanley has admitted stealing an ambulance with a patient and paramedic inside in March. Marshall Leese, 32, took the vehicle from outside Royal Stoke University Hospital at about 20:15 on 25 March.
Leese climbed into the ambulance and drove away while the paramedic was treating the patient in the back. The ambulance was parked in a triage bay in run lock mode, which keeps the vehicle running but allows the keys to be taken out of the ignition.
Police Pursuit and Arrest
Police pursued Leese until he stopped at an Esso petrol station on the A34 in Newcastle-under-Lyme. A second ambulance was sent to recover the patient and take them back to hospital.
The vehicle, which cuts out after a period of time in run lock mode, was tracked by officers before it was abandoned at the petrol station in the Chesterton area of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Leese then ran off into nearby woodland but was found by police dog Foxy. He was bitten on the hand when he failed to comply with instructions.
Court Proceedings
At Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Leese pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen, and driving without insurance. He initially denied the offences, claiming he had been cycling in the area looking for a friend when he was approached by the dog.
Judge Sally Hancox described the incident as "unusual". Leese was remanded into custody and the case was adjourned for sentencing on a date yet to be fixed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service carried out a welfare check on the staff member involved to maintain their wellbeing.
