A serving prisoner being tested for sleep apnoea destroyed a respiratory device costing nearly £6,000, a court has heard.
Samir Patel, 43, of HMP Isle of Wight appeared before Magistrates yesterday (Friday) charged with a single count of criminal damage.
Crown Prosecutor Serena Edwards told the court that on 24th January, Patel was taken to St Mary’s Hospital after suffering respiratory issues. While at the hospital, he was provided with a polygraph device used to test for sleep apnoea.
The court heard that Patel signed for the device before being returned across Parkhurst Road to HMP Isle of Wight.
A few days later, a prison officer noticed the smell of burning and spice – a synthetic cannabinoid – coming from Patel’s cell. Patel was said to be under the influence of the drug, while the polygraph device had been completely dismantled, with wires pulled apart and damaged beyond repair. The device was valued at around £5,850.
Ms Edwards told the court that Patel, who was sentenced to 102 months in prison in December 2023, had a history of dismantling electrical items such as vapes and kettles in an attempt to create heat sources.
Defending, Jim Osborne said Patel deeply regretted his actions, adding that he had not taken his bipolar medication for 10 days, which led to a meltdown.
Magistrates ordered Patel to pay £1,500 in compensation to St Mary’s Hospital upon his release.
Surely he should have to pay full amount for the equipment here broke!
He should be made to pay that back out of his weekly wages ? Having a meltdown is not an excuse that’s why he’s there in the first place ? Disgusting excuse for a human being.
Quite agree. And why didn’t he take his bi-polar meds? Is there any leadership and control in this wretched country anymore?
Sadly not, since the pandemic the country has become
lazy, people want to be paid for doing nothing!
If a person had a history of dismantling items,
what Numpty authorised such an expensive piece
of equipment to be given to such a person.
Make him paythe lot FFS…
Erm, isn’t that a bit short?
If he was known to dismantle electrical items then he should not have been provided with the apnoea testing equipment.
Exactly.
Give him another 5 years then see if anyone does it..
More waste of money, trying to help someone. We all have a National Insurance number, any person abusing NHS staff or equipment should be refused any future treatment or help.
Well said. I have to comment on one thing, have you noticed that most of these low life criminals have the good old British names.