Marshall Leese, 32, has admitted to false imprisonment and aggravated vehicle taking after stealing an ambulance from outside Royal Stoke University Hospital on March 25. The vehicle was taken shortly after 8 p.m. while a paramedic was treating a patient inside.
Staffordshire Police reported that the Fiat Ducato ambulance was left running in a triage bay with the keys removed from the ignition. Leese took the vehicle, which was designed to shut off after a period in this 'run lock' mode. Officers tracked the ambulance, which was eventually abandoned at an Esso petrol station in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Leese fled into nearby woodland but was apprehended by police after being bitten on the hand by a police dog. During an initial police interview, Leese denied the offenses, claiming he was cycling and looking for a friend. He later pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, aggravated vehicle taking, driving the ambulance dangerously between the hospital and the petrol station, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.
During his appearance at Stoke Crown Court, Leese, who wore a grey Nike tracksuit, smiled and waved at a woman in the public gallery. He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas. Judge Sally Hancox described the case as 'unusual' and remanded Leese into custody for sentencing at a later date.
Following the hearing, Detective Constable Lili Rose Gregory of Staffordshire Police expressed relief that no one was harmed, stating, "This incident could have ended very differently and I'm pleased that no one was hurt as a result of Leese's actions." She added that conclusive evidence was gathered to secure the conviction. West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed that a second ambulance was dispatched to the petrol station to recover the patient and return them to the hospital.