By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 12:00, Wednesday, 29 August 2012

A depressed man who went to hospital for help was able to get into a medicine cabinet and steal drugs.

James Richard Weaver, 32, was waiting to see the crisis team at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle after he threatened to commit suicide.

He waited in accident and emergency from 8.30pm on July 26 and left without being seen before returning at 11.10pm – only to wander off again, Carlisle magistrates were told.

This time, said prosecutor Pam Ward, he ended up in a treatment room in a non public part of the hospital.

A nurse arrived and found him there in his wheelchair, sitting behind the door.

The secure medicine cabinet in the room was open and there were syringes, drugs and a bunch of keys on the counter. But when the nurse asked him what had happened, he said he had done nothing.

It was later confirmed that some drugs – including an inhaler and a heartburn treatment – were missing.

Weaver, who lives in Workington, was found on Botchergate in the early hours of the next day with a number of drugs.

Defence lawyer Lauren Healsey said the defendant took the drugs because he wanted to commit suicide. He had been depressed after his grandfather passed away.

He felt he had waited “an eternity” to be seen in hospital so went looking for drugs, taking a selection.

The defendant was also frustrated when he was told he did not meet the hospital’s criteria for an immediate assessment and he wanted to prove to medics he needed help.

Registered disabled, Weaver is currently unemployed and on benefits but hopes one day to find work, said Miss Healsey.

Weaver admitted burglary and theft, and was given 18 months supervision and ordered to pay £85 court costs. He must also complete a thinking skills course.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk