A thief stole a terminally-ill boy’s iPad from his hospital bedside as he recovered from a kidney transplant.
The heartless crook even asked 14-year-old Jamie Knott how he was feeling before swiping the £500 gadget from his bedside table at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Jamie, who suffers from rare metabolic disorder Methylmalonic acidemia, only has partial vision in one eye. The Make A Wish Foundation donated the tablet computer to him so he could enjoy it before he loses his sight completely.
Jamie’s mum Tracey, 41, said: "I don’t think anyone could stoop any lower, to steal from a sick child while he lies helpless in a hospital bed.
"When Jamie realised what had happened he was absolutely distraught. I just couldn’t stop him from crying.
"His one wish was to be able to use the iPad while he was in hospital.
"It’s heartbreaking to see someone upset him so much by taking that away from him. It’s beyond belief that someone could do that to a sick child."
Due to his failing vision, Jamie was unable to provide a full description to police, but could make out that the man, who had an Asian accent, was wearing bright-coloured trousers.
Jamie has been told by doctors he will not live beyond his teens because of the disease which leaves his body unable to process fats or proteins.
He travels with his family from their home in Driffield, North Humberside, to Manchester three times a week for treatment and tests, and had been using the device to play games and look at photos during his regular stays in hospital.
After hearing Jamie’s heartbreaking story from police, bosses at Tesco Extra in Gorton put a smile back on Jamie’s face by giving him a new iPad.
Tracey added: "Jamie was over the moon to be given a replacement and I am so grateful for their generosity."
Pc Carl Kelly said: "When we heard about what had happened we wanted to be able to help replace the gadget.
"We will try our hardest to see that justice is served following this crime and inquiries are ongoing."
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This country really appals me sometimes!
Stealing from a sick child....jesus!
That thief is lower that the bottom of a rock, with the empathy to match. I hope he has a consience and returns the i-Pad
What a low life this thief is.
What kind of person can steal from a helpless child in a hospital bed ? This person must have no conscience at all. Lowest of the low. Shame on you.
This made me feel sick.
This is disgusting beyond belief!!
How can ANYONE stoop so low?
How disgustingly low will some people stoop? It beggars belief what some scum will do.
How was someone allowed to walk around the ward freely, unchecked, in this day and age? Hope they catch the culprit and he gets what he deserves, or at least his picture is printed so everyone knows who they're dealing with should they come across this wretch!
These people are out there
Karma do your worst
New depths are plumbed every day. Of course the fault lies with the governemnt for failing to ensure that the thief had his own iPad. It's really society's fault.
hope they catch the scumbag
Sadly certain people from certain communities have very little respect for their own community so why would they care about somebody like this poor lad. It's a terribly cruel world we live in and it is only going to get worse............not my opinion but a fact
Well done to Tesco's, hat's off to you in this instance!
A bit late in the day but I urge anyone who has one of these to download the 'Find my iPad' app.
It would locate the exact position and location of the scum that has stolen it.
It doesn't get any lower than that. Disgusting.
It was a nice gesture of Tesco to give Jamie another I-Pad for free so well done to them.
What security is at this hospital ?
Any CCTV ?
My concern is how can someone just wander ino this childs room/ward unchallenged and steal this item in the first place?
Fortunately it was only an ipad that got taken, and not a child as far as im concerned.
only one word SCUM.
It beggars belief how low some people can stoop. It's unimaginable. But how did the theif get on to the ward in the first place. Surely there must be some cctv in the hospital that shows this low life. Nice of Tesco, Gorton to replace it for him which proves there's good and bad in every town. I sincerely hope GMP find the culprit and he gets what's coming to him. I'd pay good money to see them sent down!
What a heartbreaking reflection on our society. Sadly this is not the first story i've heard about thefts from vulnerable people in and around hospitals, and i very much doubt it will be the last.
Take heart Jamie that you have more courage in your little finger than this scumbag will ever have. I wish you and your family well. x
There is some heartless people out there, Good on Tesco's at Gorton for replacing the iPad but this scumbag needs to be caught and should foot the bill for BOTH iPads plus severe punishment!
scum bag bring back hanging for crimes like this !
Suspended sentence/slap on the wrist if caught...
Lost for words really,hw someone can be so heartless amazes m
Half a story...
When did this happen?
Was there any cctv images ?
What are the police doing ?
Don't know how anybody could do such a thing...low life scum bag. Glad you got a new one little man. All the best son.......
Asian accent, bet he says he loaned it and didn't understand! No punishment for him if he did get caught. Hope he does though! Best wishes to Jamie and his family
How the hell did this low-life piece of scum get into the ward in the first place?,saying that I was on the elective treatment ward last year and members of the public had to walk through the ward to get to the day surgery clinic.you had no choice but to chance leaving your belongings at your bedside.