THE brother of a critically ill Gravesend man has a message for the thieves who stole his mobile phone from his hospital bedside: ‘I hope you read this and it makes you feel sick’.

Father-of-two Chris Ansell, of Thong Lane, had his black Samsung phone taken from Darent Valley Hospital last week.

The 62-year-old has battled a serious heart problem for the past 10 years and is on the waiting list for a heart transplant to save his life.

His brother Dave, 60, of Beech Avenue, Swanley said: “You just can’t get any lower than that, I am totally sickened.

“That’s virtually the only thing he can do is make a phone call and it’s been taken from him.

“They must know what they’re doing and known he’s in a vulnerable position – it’s absolutely disgusting.”

Chris had a heart pump installed almost two years ago and was admitted to the cardiac ward of Darent Valley Hospital just before Christmas where he remains under close observation.

He added: “People should be safe in hospital.

“I just hope they read this and it makes them feel sick, that they’ve done something like this.

“It proves you can’t trust anyone, which is amazing.”

When Chris called his brother's mobile number he was greeted by a man who claimed he bought it off someone off in a Strood pub.

The theft has been reported to Kent Police who are investigating.

A Dartford and Gravesham NHS trust spokesman said: “It is so disappointing that thieves take advantage in hospitals when people are at their most vulnerable

“We do encourage patients to keep their valuables in the hospital safe and to collect them when they leave.

“However, mobile phones are a link to family and friends and we understand that patients want to keep them handy.

“Unfortunately, it only takes a second for a thief to steal such a small device as a phone.”