War hero’s phone stolen from his hospital ward
A D-DAY hero who has had both legs amputated has slammed the “scumbag” who stole his mobile phone as he lay in a hospital bed.
David Teacher, 96, was being treated for a bleed on the brain when the man in his 20s offered to charge it for him – but never came back.
The veteran, who received an MBE in 2012 for services to charity, said: “I know it’s not the crime of the century but he could see I had no legs. I was an easy target, it couldn’t get easier.
“It’s the lack of decency, exploiting someone so vulnerable. How can that kind of individual look at themselves in the mirror?”
Secure
The great-grandfather, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was among the first soldiers to land at Juno Beach in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.
He later found himself fighting in freezing temperatures during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, before taking part in the invasion of Germany in 1945.
He had both legs amputated around five years ago after suffering poor circulation.
He added: “That’s how it is these days unfortunately – no respect. They think ‘If I want it , I’ll take it’.
“The nurses were great, they were shocked it had happened and were saying only a scumbag could do such a thing.”
Daughter Lesley, 73, was with
David when the man in his midtwenties was admitted to his ward at Royal Oldham Hospital, Lancs.
She said: “We sat talking to him. He was telling us his brother had served in Afghanistan.
“He seemed nice but was complaining that he didn’t have enough money to take his girlfriend out and that he was in hospital because he’d been beaten up by three lads.
“Dad didn’t with him and have his charger this lad said he’d charge it up for him. Then the next morning he said he was going for a cigarette but he took all his stuff and the phone.
“It was only an old Samsung. We went on one of those trade-in sites and it was only worth £11.
“The nurses searched everywhere looking for it, the only explanation is he took it.”
She said they understood the police know who the man on the ward is and had spoken to him about the theft – which he denied.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they had received a complaint about a theft on Tuesday and were investigating.
A spokesperson for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, which manages The Royal Oldham Hospital, said: “The safety and security of our patients is our priority and all patients should rightfully expect their belongings to be safe and secure whilst in our care.
“We’re helping the police with their investigations and will continue to support the patient and his family following this upsetting incident.”