Man charged after ambulance taken with patient in

A man has appeared in court charged with a number of offences after an ambulance was taken from outside a hospital while a patient and a paramedic were still inside.

Marshall Leese, 31, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre, accused of kidnap and theft of a motor vehicle among other charges.

At about 20:15 GMT on Wednesday, officers were called to a report of a man getting into an ambulance and driving off while a paramedic, a patient and another individual were on board.

No one inside the ambulance was injured as a result of the incident, police said.

Leese has also been charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 27 April.

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