Gary Mitchell was one of a gang of three men that targeted the University Hospital of Hartlepool, in Holdforth Road, on April 16.

A court was told Mitchell, 36, of Duncan Road, Hartlepool, stood on the outside of the grounds while two men on the inside passed a radiator over the wall from a skip.

Stephen Hill, prosecuting at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court, said: "The two on the inside were passing a radiator to Mr Mitchell on the outside and were seen by a police community support officer who spoke to them and approached them.

"When he was interviewed Mr Mitchell continued the admission of what he was doing."

The court heard it was a theft "of some value" although the exact worth is unknown, but that there was no loss to the hospital.

Mitigating, John Relton said: "The benefit he has got is nothing whatsoever, but it has cost him his good name."

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to the theft and was given a 12-month conditional discharge.