Lifeboatman stole gas from RNLI
A Norfolk lifeboatman's reputation looked to be in ruins on Wednesday night after he admitted stealing painkilling gas from the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI station.
A Norfolk lifeboatman's reputation looked to be in ruins on Wednesday night after he admitted stealing painkilling gas from the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI station.
Daniel Hansby-Patterson was given a one-year conditional discharge by Yarmouth magistrates after he pleaded guilty to stealing a �600 canister of Entonox gas - a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen anaesthetic gas used in emergencies at sea.
He had stolen the gas because he was in severe pain after he had fallen ill while working offshore with a suspected burst ulcer.
Magistrates heard that Hansby-Patterson, of Horsley Drive, Gorleston, had been suspended from the RNLI and would probably lose his post because of his theft conviction.
He is a member of the station's shore crew after being medically discharged as a lifeboat crewman.
Gary Mayle, prosecuting, said the 35-year-old was seen on CCTV taking the spare canister from the RNLI station on Riverside Road, Gorleston, in the early hours of July 26.
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When police went to Hansby-Patterson's home, they found the canister in his bedroom.
Describing the defendant's theft of the painkilling gas, Mr Mayle said: “He gave no thought to the knock-on effect to the service and the public.”
Sultan Walpole, mitigating, said her client took the gas as he was in severe pain after falling ill offshore with a suspected burst ulcer.
Mrs Walpole added: “He has enjoyed a good working relationship with his colleagues. He took the gas for his own personal use. He is deeply embarrassed.
“He has lost the good standing he has enjoyed for so long.”
Hansby-Patterson, who has a wife and one-year-old daughter, was given a year's conditional discharge and ordered to pay �200 compensation to the RNLI.
