Cabrini Hospital Malvern patients allegedly robbed by hospital worker
A former ward assistant from Cabrini hospital in Malvern robbed two patients of hundreds of dollars while they lay in their beds, court documents allege.
Inner East
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A former ward assistant from Cabrini hospital in Malvern robbed two patients while they lay in their sick beds, court documents allege.
Kudakwashe Mavondo told the Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court last Thursday he intended to plead not guilty to two charges of theft totalling $653.
Court documents allege Mavondo targeted his victims soon after he transferred them from the emergency department to their rooms on July 12.
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He allegedly rummaged through one woman’s handbag stealing $490 from her purse and later during the same shift he swiped $145 from another woman’s wallet.
The victims only became aware of the theft after they checked their bags.
When Mavondo was interviewed by police, who allegedly found the missing money in his wallet, he told them he’d won the cash earlier that day at the pokies.
Mavondo requested an adjournment so he could arrange legal representation to help him defend the charges.
In granting his request, Magistrate Charles Tan told Mavondo the matter had already been adjourned once in September and he did not want to delay the case.
“Why haven’t you organised yourself in the last two months,” Mr Tan said.
“It’s important for you to organise yourself to get lawyers to act for you.”
Cabrini spokeswoman Samantha Robin said hospital staff alerted police as soon as they became aware of the thefts.
“The ward assistant no longer works at the hospital,” she said.
“These types of incidents are extremely rare and are taken incredibly seriously.
“We have apologised to the patients who had money stolen and have compensated them for their losses.” The matter was adjourned until January.
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