Mortuary assistant stole dead man's cash

A hospital mortuary assistant has admitted stealing cash, a phone and wallet belonging to a motorcyclist killed in an accident in the Black Country.

Anita Lampitt, aged 40, was due to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to stealing £221.97 cash, the mobile phone and black leather wallet from the mortuary safe at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley.

The hospital was holding the belongings of Kevin Round, 40, after his death in a crash near his home in Burrows Road, Kingswinford, last month. The father-of-three died after a crash on August 18.

Lampitt, of Pearce Close, Dudley, was due at Dudley Magistrates' Court today for sentencing. She is believed to have been suspended from work pending an investigation by the hospital.

A close friend of Mr Round and his wife Megan today said she was sickened by the crime. Mrs Round was too upset to comment.

The mother-of-two, who has known the family for a decade, said: "It has been hard enough for the family to come to terms with losing Kevin but now they have got this to deal with on top of it.

"Kevin had pictures of his children in his wallet and this woman must have seen that man's children and took his money."

Chief executive of the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Paul Farenden said: "We are investigating this case in accordance with the trust's disciplinary procedure."