A THIEF helper drove his girlfriend around Greenock and Port Glasgow as she stole handbags and purses from various places — including a nurses’ room at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Craig Donnachie, 41 — described as an ‘art and part’ offender — assisted his partner in crime, Rhonda McDonald, 37, in a series of brazen pilfering raids across the towns.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how the duo targeted the hospital, the Pets at Home store on Custom House Way and Tesco Extra in the Port on three consecutive days last October.

Prosecutor Joanne Gilmour said: “The accused admitted to police that he had driven his co-accused during the incidents.

“There was no recovery of any of the stolen items.”

The court heard how McDonald — who has been jailed over the thefts — stole three purses from a staff room within the hospital’s A&E department in a 40-second sneak-in raid.

Fiscal depute Ms Gilmour said: “When the nurses finished their shift they discovered that their belongings were gone.”

In another incident, Donnachie, of South Street, drove McDonald to the Pets at Home shop where she stole two handbags and their contents from the staff room there.

At Tesco she pinched a handbag from a customer’s trolley before calmly strolling outside and getting into Donnachie’s car as the pair made off.

Those thefts were carried out on October 26, 27 and 28.

But McDonald, of Auchmead Road, also committed other such thefts at the Co-op on Shore Street, Gourock, an inpatient ward at Inverclyde Royal and also Greenock Health centre on Duncan Street.

She was sentenced to eight months imprisonment on the matters last November, as Donnachie had to wait for his day in court.

His lawyer, Gerry Keenan, said: “It is surprising at this stage of his life that he is being convicted of these offences.

“His co-accused has a record for matters of this nature.

“He had formed a relationship with her and he found himself drawn into activity designed by her.”

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence on Donnachie for a background report and warned him that all sentencing options remain open.

The sheriff told him: “These are serious matters, including stealing from nurses at the hospital.”

Donnachie is due back in court on the matters on February 21.