A THIEF who hit a “new low” by robbing the Beatson Cancer Centre using a stolen key card has been jailed for three years.

John Smith, 51, plead guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court today to theft and housebreaking last October.

Sheriff Joseph Platt blasted the robber who has a previous offence for theft by housebreaking.

He told Smith: “The people who work at the Beatson have a reputation and you exploited this to create difficulty.

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“This was a co-ordinated action and with your extensive record this is a new low you for you, people will feel disgusted.”

The court heard Smith, a heroin addict, entered the Gartnavel Hospital centre’s doctor handover room between 10am and 12.30pm on October 20, 2018.

Later that day, two members of staff at Ward B5 noticed their purses, which contained money, bank cards and driving licences, were missing.

Over a week later, a different member of staff came back to her office at 4.30pm and noticed all the lights were on which was unusual.

Other staff members noticed money was gone from their desks and their drawers had been raided.

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A safe had also been forced open and £24 was taken.

Prosecutor Marie McCue said: “Some blood was left on the drawers and desks and police were able to take DNA and found it to be Mr Smith’s.”

She added: “Using data from the [key] card, CCTV was used to show the police who had accessed the building and identified John Smith.”

It was discovered that Smith, from Airdrie, had taken the card earlier that week at an office in ward three.

The stolen items haven’t been recovered.

Defence lawyer Darren Khorsani said he had no recollection of the offence.

When sentenced, Smith replied “I can’t cope” before being led away.

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