A PATIENT at Royal Blackburn Hospital stole £20 from the purse of a receptionist who was doing her a favour.

Blackburn magistrates heard Kelly Ann Foster was in hospital after taking an overdose of heroin. She said she couldn’t remember the incident but accepted she must have stolen the money.

Foster, 36, of Hopwood Street, Accrington, admitted theft of £20 belonging to Nabila Parveen. She was given a nine-month community supervision order and told to pay £20 compensation.

The court heard Foster approached the receptionist and asked if she would get a nurse, then took the money.