A man who stole a laptop from a sleeping junior doctor has been jailed for eight months after a joint operation by hospital security staff and Humberside Police.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) has a special arrangement with the force when crimes are committed in the grounds of Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

The two organisations worked together to bring Lee Conman to justice after he broke into Hull York Medical School’s library in the early hours of the morning last month.

Conman, 39, entered the building in the grounds of Hull Royal Infirmary and forced his way into the library. Once inside, he snatched a bag containing a laptop from the junior doctor, who was resting in the special Quiet Zone where staff can recuperate after a tough shift.

The junior doctor raised the alarm with the hospital’s security staff when he woke to discover his bag – and his laptop – had gone.

Chris Watson, the trust’s security manager, said they were able to obtain clear CCTV images of the thief leaving the building with the doctor’s bag and passed them onto the hospital liaison officer in the force.

Officers recognised Conman, of Albert Avenue, Hull, and he was arrested within hours, He appeared at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Mr Watson said: “Those who attempt to commit crime or who commit crimes against our staff should know that we will do whatever it takes to bring them to justice.

“Our arrangement with the police means no time is lost in making sure we have the best possible chance of making sure perpetrators of crimes in our hospitals and against our staff face the full force of the law.”

Neighbourhood Beat Officer Sarah Wilson said: “As the Beat Officer for the hospital, I’m really pleased that justice has been served.

“Our healthcare professionals work tirelessly to be able to assist patients who require medical treatment and, without the appropriate equipment, this can make their job increasingly difficult.

“Burglary is a serious offence that we dedicate lots of our resource to as it’s important that everyone in our force area feels safe at home and work.”