A MAN who was jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from hospital staff has been banned from entering any healthcare facility once released.

Adrian Garrick was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison in April after leading a gang who committed 31 thefts from members of staff in hospitals across the country – including Lister – over a three year period.

Now the 41-year-old has been issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) which stops him entering any hospital, doctor’s surgery or other healthcare facility for the next five years, unless it is an emergency.

It is only the second time such powers, which also include restrictions on the amount of cash, vehicles, bank accounts and mobile phones Garrick can have at any one time, have been used in Hertfordshire.

The order on Garrick, formerly of Miranda Close, Coventry, was made at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday and if flouted could result in a return to prison.

Financial investigator detective constable Emma Landucci, from the Local Crime Unit in Stevenage, said: “Garrick and his team committed these crimes against doctors, nurses and other staff while they were going about their everyday duties, caring for the sick and vulnerable.

“Despite this Garrick has shown no remorse for his actions but he is now paying a heavy price and has found that his freedom is curbed well beyond the duration of his prison sentence.

“This order sends a message to organised and serious criminals that we can act now to stop you committing crimes in the future – even after you have served your sentence.”