CHIPPENHAM man Steven Baker sneaked into an ambulance while it was parked outside the town's hospital.

Baker, 27, of Pipsmore Road, rifled through medical equipment while the ambulance was outside the Community Hospital in Rowden Hill.

Baker pleaded guilty to stealing a £3 medical tape, interfering with a motor vehicle and failing to answer police bail.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, told magistrates Baker was spotted fiddling inside the ambulance when paramedic Jane Grant and a colleague returned from taking a patient to the hospital's casualty department.

The man was rifling through a bag of medical equipment. When challenged he said he was looking for his mother.

The court was told Ms Grant told him: "I don't think you'll find her in there."

Baker told the court he had been drinking. He said he had no intention of stealing anything, but admitted taking the tape from inside the hospital.

He told the court he missed his bail appointment at the police station on November 27 because he had a job interview.

Baker was fined £90 and ordered to pay £30 costs.