NHS THEFTS
Ambulance boss in dock
Medical equipment and drugs stolen for profit, court hears
A former special constable who ran a string of private ambulance firms has appeared in court accused of being part of a crime ring which stole lifesaving medical equipment before selling it on for profit.
Kevin Buck is one of 11 people charged with a raft of offences over the theft of defibrillators and drugs from ambulances and buildings across Kent and beyond between 2016 and 2017. Companies House lists Buck, who now splits his time between Kent and Norwich, as having served as director of six Maidstone-based firms offering medical assistance services.
These are Delta Automotive Services, Delta Medical Training, Southern Ambulance Sales, UK Ambulance Services, Delta Medical Services and Delta UK Express.
The 52-year-old also volunteered with Kent Police as a special constable for more than 20 years, and was hailed with an award by Maidsafe in 2014 for his efforts in working a 10-hour foot patrol shift with the town team every Saturday night. Buck appeared at Folkestone magistrates last week charged with receiving stolen goods and entering into a money laundering arrangement.
Prosecutor Leanne James told the court an organised crime group operated a patient transport business and first aid company and sold second hand medical equipment.
She added: “A number of individuals committed burglaries from ambulance stations and medical establishments, during the course of which, medical equipment and drugs were stolen.
“They were sold through the medical equipment company making the enterprise very huge profits.
“Other individuals have been involved in the laundering of money generated through that business.
“It’s an enterprise where, we say, all of the defendants are inextricably linked to each other.”