A thief has avoided jailtime after stealing a lifesaving bleed kit in Bristol. Ryan Horler, from Hartcliffe, admitted stealing the vital piece of equipment from Frogmore Street on Sunday, August 11, along with nine other thefts.
Bleed kits have been installed across the city after a rise in knife crime across Bristol in the last year. The kit stolen by Horler was one of more than 350 in the region. They are kept in unlocked cabinets and can be used to stop catastrophic bleeding before emergency services arrive at an incident.
Avon and Somerset Police said the one in Frogmore Street was replaced within an hour of being reported.
Horler, 42, was also charged with theft of a bike on May 19 and eight counts of theft from shops between July 5 and September 21. He appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 25, where he pleaded guilty to all 10 offences.
He was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, October 15 and was handed a 16-week prison sentenced, suspended for 18-months. He must also abide by a curfew for eight weeks and pay £125 compensation.
PC Max Sims, officer in the case, said: “Bleed kits can help to save the life of someone who has been critically injured and the mindless theft of one could have had a catastrophic impact should it have been unavailable when needed in an emergency.
“CCTV footage showing the offence was identified during our investigation, enabling us to issue a public appeal to identify the suspect a few days later. We’re grateful to those who assisted our enquiries, and helped us identify Ryan Horler as the offender.”