Parents who stole several laptops from a cancer ward, and subsequently blamed their terminally ill son for their actions are now in jail. Kim Ager, 34, and Matthew Ingham, 37, will be spending prison time for the despicable act they have done.
After the trial, Judge Sally Cahill found Ingham guilty of four counts of theft. On the other hand, as per Yahoo News, Ager pleaded guilty to the charge of handling stolen goods. Ingram will be spending two years behind bars, while Ager had a shorter sentence of nine months.
The couple stole the laptops and projectors from Leeds General Infirmary, West Yorks, the cancer ward where their son was confined. Daily Star reported that Jo Shepheard, Candlelighters Charity Director, discovered the theft of the equipment from Ward 31. The equipment was provided by the infirmary so that sick children can contact their families while they are in the hospital.
The parents stole three laptop computers and projection equipment from the cancer ward and subsequently sold them on Facebook. They slashed the actual value of the items stolen to facilitate a faster transaction.
Upon their arrest, they initially said that their son was the one who took the laptops and sold them. They painted their son as a thief, not to mention that their son was suffering from cancer at the time of the commission of the crime.
Buyers of the laptops noticed that they can't get past the login screen which says, "Ward 31." One of the staff of the hospital contacted the authorities after seeing the computers being sold on Ager's Facebook page.
The prosecutor said that the laptops were attached to the beds using security tags provided by the hospital. These tags can be removed by force, but would have to be cut.
During the trial, Ingham stated that it was the prodding of his son, Callum, which prompted him to remove the computers as his son would like to see how strong he was. In effect, he was passing the blame to Callum for the theft.
It was reported that Ingham spends £40 on heroin and crack each day. Coincidentally, the laptops were sold at almost the same price at £50-£60 each.
Judge Cahill described the theft: "It is difficult to find a word how despicable this offending was." Clearly, what the couple did of stealing laptops from a cancer ward and blamed their ill son for it was something that many people considered highly offensive.
