A WOMAN has been spared an immediate prison sentence for stealing a handbag and its contents from a vulnerable elderly hospital patient.

Donna Marie Jeff committed the theft at Royal Bournemouth Hospital on July 27 last year.

Jeff, whose address was given as Rossmore Road, Poole, initially pleaded not guilty to the single charge but changed her plea on the day of trial on August 5 at Poole Magistrates’ Court.

The 58-year-old stole the handbag which contained a purse, bank card, bus pass and glasses.

Court papers stated the offence crossed the custody threshold because it was an opportunistic theft in which the theft was a against a particularly vulnerable elderly lady who was being treated at the hospital.

“Those who commit such offences must expect to receive a custodial sentence,” court papers said.

“This sentence is imposed both as a punishment for the defendant & to send a message of general deterrent effect.”

Jeff was committed to prison for six months, suspended for 18 months, with an order to pay £200 compensation.