A Stoke-on-Trent man who stole an ambulance with a patient inside at Royal Stoke University Hospital has pleaded guilty in court.

Marshall Leese, 32, of Hanley, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today (Tuesday 28 July).

He admitted aggravated taking a vehicle without consent, false imprisonment, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without third party insurance.

Detective Constable Lili Rose Gregory, from the Staffordshire Police criminal investigations department, said: "This incident could have ended very differently and I'm pleased that no one was hurt as a result of Leese's actions.

"Despite his initial denial, we were able to build conclusive evidence to make sure that a conviction was secured in court today."

The incident took place on 25 March this year when the ambulance was parked in a triage bay at the hospital in a 'run lock' mode - which keeps the vehicle running but allows paramedics to take the keys out of the ignition.

Staffordshire Police said Leese got inside the ambulance while a paramedic was treating a patient in the back, and drove it away.

Officers tracked the ambulance, which cuts off after a period of time in 'run lock' mode.

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Leese abandoned the vehicle at Esso petrol station on London Road in Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme before running off into woodland.

Staffordshire Police said Leese was "quickly sniffed out by Police Dog Foxy and their handler, where he was bitten on the hand after failing to comply with instructions."

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "In his interview, Leese denied the offences and instead said that he was cycling in the area and looking for a friend before he was approached by a police dog and bitten.

"We gathered all of the evidence needed to charge him, which later leaded to Leese admitting all of the offences in court today."

Leese has now been remanded ahead of his sentencing on a date yet to be fixed.