Lerun Hussain tried to take three face masks from King’s College Hospital, which is fighting to treat coronavirus patients

A man who was caught stealing face masks from a hospital struggling with the coronavirus outbreak has been sentenced to three months’ jail.

Lerun Hussain, 34, from Clapham, south London, was detained by security staff at King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill after he stole three surgical masks.

Several people have died at the hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus, including 13-year-old Ismail Abdulwahab, who had to be buried without his mother and siblings after two of them developed symptoms.

Hussain, who was also held for breaching a court order, pleaded guilty to theft at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.


The hospital in Denmark Hill has had a number of patients die after testing positive for coronavirus (Picture: PA)

Meanwhile a GP’s surgery in Worcestershire is pleading with unknown thieves to return its only box of face masks.



Staff at Church Street Surgery in Kidderminster said they might not be able to stay open for long without the kit.

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However since appealing on social media the practice has received a number of face mask donations from individuals, allowing it to keep seeing patients.

West Mercia Police said they would visit the surgery on Wednesday to follow up on a reported theft.

Inspector Dave King said: ‘In these challenging and difficult times, the theft of vital medical equipment is going to add further strain and demand to the health service and the people looking after our welfare.

‘While a crime like this is naturally going to upset and concern many in our community who see NHS staff risking their lives every day, the vast majority of people are doing all they can to support each other however they can.’

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