Thieves raided an Aberdeen man’s home while he was recovering from a serious heart attack – sending him straight back to hospital.
Ashley Beattie got such a shock when he discovered his home had been ransacked that he thought he was suffering another attack, and dialled 999.
The 56-year-old was rushed back to hospital and had to have further surgery.
The sick thieves targeted Mr Beattie’s home in Hazlehead earlier this month, when he believes they knew he was at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
They stole his prized 55-inch 4K television and stereo speak system, worth about £7,000 in total.
For Mr Beattie, it was a huge blow as he spends most of his time painting while listening to music and watching science fiction films.
He said last night: “I believe the people responsible were fully aware where I was and I’m just stunned that someone can lack empathy and compassion and do something like that.
“I mean to rob someone is bad enough but to do it when they are seriously ill in hospital, I just can’t believe it.”
Police are investigating the incident, and are following a positive line of inquiry.
Mr Beattie, who works as a Tesco delivery driver, said the theft had got him down at first until he decided not to let it get the better of him, and to focus on his recovery.
“These are things that can be replaced and I’m just glad to be alive, there’s people out there like that but there’s far more who are compassionate and have humanity,” he added.
“The staff at ARI, everyone who I dealt with, were absolutely fantastic, they got 11 stars out of 10 in my book.”
The father-of-three has been a heavy smoker his entire adult life and believes this was a major contributor to his heart attack.
“It’s my own fault, but after this another cigarette won’t pass my lips,” he said.
“It was like getting hit by a freight train, I was in the shower and felt like I was getting an extreme muscle spasm.
“I felt a pain in between my arm and shoulder blade on the right hand and it just got worse and worse, it was unbelievable.
“I propped myself up against the sofa because I didn’t want to fall and bang my head.
“The pain was unbelievable, but I knew as long as I felt it I was still alive.
“I managed to call the emergency services and they were here within about 10 minutes.”
Medics had to put a stent in Mr Beattie’s heart to unblock an artery following his episode.
He then had to go through the same procedure again after his second trip to the hospital, prompted by the break-in.
He has now been signed off for work for at least two months and plans to spend time drawing, which he calls his “therapy”, and watching a TV that he has borrowed from a friend.
Anyone with information about the theft, which is believed to have happened on February 5, should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.