A NORTH YORKSHIRE nurse today faces jail with her career in ruins after a jury convicted her of stealing hospital equipment, drugs and surgery cash.

Donna Joan Sherratt, 42, a one-time York Hospital nurse, hoarded prescription medicines in her home as she broke the trust of patients, colleagues and friends.

Following her convictions for theft and illegal possession of controlled drugs, her professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, will now decide what disciplinary action it will take against the nurse, who has 17 years' experience.

Judge Paul Hoffman, the Honorary Recorder of York, has warned her she will be jailed when she returns to York Crown Court for sentence in a month's time.

Sherratt, a single parent from East End, Ampleforth, who was a practice nurse at Dr Sen's Coxwold surgery, near Thirsk, and before then, a bank nurse on the renal unit of York Hospital, showed no reaction when the jury returned their six guilty verdicts at the end of a two-day trial.

She had denied stealing a blood pressure monitor and cuff from the renal unit and stealing a Cialis tablet and cash on four occasions from the surgery's till. Cialis is a new Viagra-type drug.

Before the trial, she had admitted seven counts of illegally possessing controlled drugs and got a two-year conditional discharge from Scarborough magistrates.

Prosecuting barrister Chris Smith said patients or their relatives had given her the drugs when they no longer needed them.

Outside court, Sgt Andrew Stubbings, of Malton Police, said the thefts had lifted a shadow from the surgery and praised the professionalism of surgery staff who had helped officers.

"It has been very difficult for them. At one time, they were very good friends and had a close working relationship with the defendant," he said. "That friendship and trust has obviously been shattered."

The jury heard that surgery staff called in police because they were worried about cash missing from its till. On police advice they laid a trap by marking notes in the till.

When £10 went missing on February 24, police arrested Sherratt and found a marked note on her.

The jury convicted her on the monitor charge on the basis she had got it innocently, but had not returned it.

Updated: 10:10 Thursday, October 14, 2004