'Promising footballer' who turned to drugs facing jail after stealing mobile phone

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man described as "a promising young footballer" before injury and medication led him into drug abuse is facing jail - after stealing a mobile from from a fellow patient in hospital.

Edward Johnston's conduct was branded "particularly callous" by a sheriff. Falkirk Sheriff Court heard Johnston had been noticed by staff Forth Valley Royal Hospital "wandering around and entering numerous cubicles" while he waiting to be clinically assessed, on December 6th 2020, and had been told to get back into his own cubicle.

But it emerged he had gone into the cubicle of one female patient, asked to borrow money for a bus fare, and inquired if she had a mobile phone, before stealing it when she went to the toilet.Falkirk Live brings you the latest headlines from Falkirk and beyond.But did you know all the ways you can stay informed with us?We share live news and exclusive scoops every day so make sure you're following us so we can keep you informed on all things Falkirk!He then discharged himself.Police went to his then home in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, to speak to him about the incident, and while they were in his flat they dialled the number of the stolen mobile.It rang and was found on a table.Johnston, 33, now said to be living in North Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty to theft, and further admitted possessing £80 worth of cocaine and £30 diazepam.He also admitted a bank fraud persuading the Lloyds TSB bank to transfer £454 from the account of his former partner, Nicole Gentleman, 27, into his own account, three days after the young mother "tragically" died in February 2021, from taking Johnston's methadone.Prosecutor Danielle McDonald said he was caught after staff at the bank in Falkirk spotted a Facebook post about Nicole's