A thief who was getting urgent medical treatment at A&E stole cash and an engagement ring from hospital staff lockers.

Leigh Crighton was jailed for two and half years after admitting stealing from Ninewells Hospital on May 7.

Crighton, 25, a prisoner at Cornton Vale had been admitted to Ninewells Hospital's emergency department around 8.30am and was discharged around noon.

During her brief stay she sneaked into a staff area and rummaged through lockers and cupboards storing staff property.

Hospital cleaner Nora Abbot, 45, had clocked on at 7.30am and returned to the staff room less than an hour after Crighton left the hospital.

She then discovered her rucksack had been stolen, which contained her purse, engagement ring and bank cards.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court that Crighton had discovered the PIN number for Ms Abbot's bank card written in the purse and used it to steal £250 from her account at an ATM nearby.

She said: "Ms Abbot saw all the lockers and cupboards in the room were open.

"She saw that her rucksack had been stolen along with her colleague's purse."

CCTV footage showed Crighton in the area at the time of the incident.

She further admitted theft by housebreaking at a home in Gourdie Road, Dundee, on April 18, where she stole £40, a laptop, a camera and epilepsy medication.

The court heard she left blood stains around a window she had smashed her way through with DNA proving it was her.

She also admitted charges of shoplifting from various stores in Dundee between April 2 and 21.

Sheriff George Way said: "You were being treated at hospital for your health and during that you stole some things of great personal value."