A thief has avoided jail after committing a string of offences over a seven-month period, including stealing (pnd)62 worth of Cadbury chocolate. / One man crimewave Stephen Clarke also took (pnd)1,300 worth of mats from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, interfered with cars and on one occasion even threatened a woman, who believed he was going to 22slice her face with a knife.22 / The 52-year-old of Alamein Gardens, Dartford, was charged with 13 offences. / Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour, theft, six counts of shoplifting, failing to surrender to custody and four counts of vehicle interference. / He returned to Medway Magistrates21 Court on April 2, to be sentenced. / The court heard his first offence happened on August 14 in Dartford. James Nichols, prosecuting, said: 22Mr Clark has stolen from a number of shops and from a hospital and has been trying a number of car door handles looking for something to steal. / 22The most serious offence was when he threatened a member of the pu Credit: Cover ImagesAN NHS maternity ward has relied on bottled water for months after a plumbing crisis left tap and shower water unsafe.
Patients and staff still can’t drink the water at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent.
Water births were cancelled for more than two months before being reinstated last week.
Showers and handwashing taps were also out of action when the problem was first discovered in April.
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40:37 The in May after what it called a “significant failure of the domestic water system”.
Bacteria testing is still going on before the supply can be deemed totally safe.
One local mum-to-be told The Sun: “We transferred to a different hospital because the thought of not having clean water has put us off.
“It’s disappointing and not the nicest feeling for a first time .”
It comes after an investigation ordered by the government ruled that mum and baby care in the NHS is .
Reports show that many hospitals have outdated, and utilities that put patient safety at risk.
The NHS has a building maintenance backlog that would cost about £16billion to bring hospitals up to date.
Dartford and Gravesham Trust, which runs Darent Valley Hospital, said: “Since the issue was identified, we have had extensive measures in place to ensure patients continue to receive safe care, including the provision of bottled drinking water and alternative facilities where needed.
“Following chemical testing in May, all water outlets across the west block have been approved for use for handwashing and showering, including the and neonatal unit.
“Further microbiological testing is continuing and, until that is complete, we are providing patients, visitors and staff with bottled drinking water.
“Patient safety has been our priority throughout.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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