A man has been sent to prison after he admitted stealing a charity box from St Peter’s Hospital.

Richard Ward, 26, of Harrison Way, Shepperton, was arrested on Monday, March 17, and charged with theft and criminal damage following an incident at the Chertsey hospital last month.

Ward appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 18, pleaded guilty to the two offences and was jailed for four months.

PC Andrew Waldron said: “I would like to thank the members of the public who contacted police after recognising Ward from the CCTV images circulated with our recent witness appeal.

“Their actions undoubtedly assisted officers with the investigation and helped us to track him down and swiftly bring him to justice.”