AN ELDERLY couple have been left devastated after a crook damaged their car in the car park at Basildon Hospital.

Ken Taylor, 84, went to the hospital with his 79-year-old wife Marion and spent three hours in the endoscopy unit on Friday.

He had spent the last four days on a bland diet, had heart problems and was feeling drowsy during the clinical procedure.

When they returned to the car, they discovered someone had taken the catalytic converter from his Honda Jazz 2007.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust – which manages Basildon Hospital – confirmed CCTV footage from the day of the incident is being reviewed and security patrols increased.

Mrs Taylor said: “My husband had to go in for a camera up and down which at his age is very stressful. We came out from the hospital around 5pm and got back into our car. I was driving because my husband had been sedated.

“Once I started the car I heard a terrible noise. I thought it was something I did wrong. We stopped and started the car again, but the problem remained. I had to get my husband home.

“I drove the car back steadily. I was doing 30 to 40 miles per hour on the A13 towards where we live in Grays. The noise of the car was dreadful. It was a tough week and to come back and find the car like that was traumatising.”

The married couple parked on the second floor of the hospital car park. (Image: Google Maps)

On their way home the couple stopped at Kwik Fit who quoted £500 for repairs.

Mrs Taylor continued: “We assumed the problem was caused by a pothole in the road. We saw something hanging down towards the front.

“Once everything else is fixed it will come to £800 to £1000. We have had the car for 18 to 19 years, but we will probably have to get rid of it. We did not need that after all we have been through. It has really shaken us up and I don’t want to park there again.”

The couple have contacted the security at the hospital and asked to look at CCTV footage.

“I was told it cannot be looked at until we have an incident number,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I have also contacted the police. If this is an ongoing crime going on. People need to be aware of it.

“Car models between 2002 and 2007 are prime targets apparently. It is an ongoing crime, and it needs to be stopped. We are so angry about what happened. My son was fuming. I don’t know how these people can sleep at night.”

Responding to Mrs Taylor, Natasha Kerrigan, chief estates and infrastructure officer for Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: “We are aware of this unfortunate theft, and the security team are reviewing the relevant CCTV footage. CCTV is installed across all our car parks to make them as safe as possible. In addition, we have increased security patrols on site as a further deterrent.”