A former hospital worker has been handed a suspended sentence for a theft from a patient.

Sigrun Margret Jonsdottir, of Hillside Avenue, Douglas, denied the offence but was convicted after a trial by magistrates.

The 37-year-old was sentenced to 28 days custody, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £1,000 prosecution costs.

The court heard that Jonsdottir had worked as a ward clerk at Noble’s Hospital until she was suspended then sacked as a result of the incident.

She was found guilty of taking a £20 gift voucher from an 86-year-old patient suffering from dementia.

The court heard that the woman had offered the voucher to Jonsdottir and she had refused it at first but accepted it when offered a second time.

Defence advocate Jim Travers said: ’It was a moral dilemma. She turned it down at first, then the second time accepted it. We are dealing with a low value of goods.

’The situation was presented to her rather than one she had gone about herself.

’She was told "get something nice for your children coming up to Christmas".

’She bought something for around £4 for the children and spent some on bakery items. She brought those in and served them to the woman.

’She was found guilty, it has caused her some upset. It led to her dismissal at the hospital. The length of the proceedings has caused her huge distress.

’Happily she has managed to secure employment.’

Mr Travers went on to say that a probation report had assessed his client as a low risk of reoffending and low risk of harm to the public.