A nurse from Epsom General Hospital, who stole and burgled from elderly and vulnerable patients, has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Earlwin Huliganga, 33, of Cuddington Glade, Epsom, was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison at Guildford Crown Court today.

Working on the Alexandra ward at the hospital, Huliganga stole patients’ money and personal items from the hospital ward safe, the court heard.

He also stole their keys, burgling their houses for money and electrical goods.

The court was told he stole a car belonging to one of his former patients and fraudulently took more money from several of their bank accounts.

One of his victims confided in him that he was going abroad for a long period after leaving the hospital.

Huliganga targeted the elderly man’s property while he was away, stealing a flat-screen television, a laptop computer, a camera and his car.

Police stopped Mr Huliganga driving the stolen vehicle and subsequent investigations uncovered the extent of his criminal activity.

PC Wayne Stephens, who led the investigation into Huliganga’s activities, said: “Mr Huliganga was responsible for the close care of patients on his ward and he abused the trust they placed in him.

“Some of those targeted were too scared to go back to their own homes following the burglaries and I hope today’s sentencing reassures them the man responsible has been brought to justice.

"Today Huliganga is starting a lengthy sentence behind bars and I hope it reassures the community that Surrey Police is tough on crime and will bring those responsible to justice.”

The patients Huliganga targeted included a retired man with cerebral palsy, who required full-time care, and a 79-year-old retired clergyman.