Chris Parker, 33, pleaded guilty at Manchester crown court on January 3, 2018, and has been warned by the judge to expect a prison sentence.
Parker admitted two counts of theft and one count of fraud. He stole a purse belonging to Pauline Healey, who was seriously injured in the blast, and then used her bank card at a McDonald's in Manchester in the following days. Her 14-year-old granddaughter Sorrell Leczkowski died in the attack on 22 May.
Parker also admitted stealing a mobile phone belonging to a teenage girl caught up in the attack, who cannot be named.
News of his fall from grace quickly spread on social media with many condemning his behaviour while others voiced concern over what would now happen to the thousands of pounds raised for him in the wake of his fake bravery.
The very man that was branded a 'hero' during the Manchester Arena attack has come forward and admitted to stealing from the victims. This man indulged in the positive media attention, knowing that he took advantage of dying children. I am speechless. pic.twitter.com/TNK6QphCXC
— Isabelle (@isabellervse) January 3, 2018
Just heard the "homeless hero" that ran in to the Manchester arena to help victims of the bomb, was actually stealing mobile phones and money from the victim's bodies.
— Sheriff Winston J. Smith Jr (@Plastic_Reynold) January 3, 2018
He's just been sentenced.
What a world we live in.
I know this was a scummy thing to do, but this man has severe MH issues & addiction problems. I hope he gets help as well as censure. 'Homeless hero' admits theft after Manchester Arena bomb attack. https://t.co/xzL9L7Og0j pic.twitter.com/pRd7x38IN3
— JP ❄️ (@5Mumsie) January 3, 2018
Chris parker should get 10 to 15 years stealing from injuried and dead at manchester arena..he's just as heartless as person who bomb the arena
— Big John Henry (@bigjohn4you) January 3, 2018
Crowdfunding
More than £50,000 was raised for him as part of a crowdfunding effort following the attack after he revealed how he had rushed to help the victims. He never received the money raised for him after CCTV showed him rifling through Healey's bag as her granddaughter lay dying.
Parker had been due to stand trial on January 2 but failed to show up.
The court was told he had not been seen since shortly after Christmas when he was discharged from Calderdale hospital in West Yorkshire. His electronic tag was later discovered in an empty soup tin outside his bail hostel in Halifax and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hiding
Police discovered him hiding in a loft in Halifax early on January 3 and was immediately brought to court where he changed his plea to guilty. He had previously protested his innocence by insisting he had done nothing wrong.
The court heard that Parker had failed to answer bail on a number of occasions over the past month and had sent text messages to his mother and ex-partner saying he intended to avoid going to court.
CCTV footage captured Parker at the arena shortly after the bomb went off. He was filmed circling his victims, some of whom were scattered across the foyer and lying in pools of blood.
At one point he appeared to kick a handbag across the floor and then go and look into it. He could also be seen looking through a coat left on a staircase.
Eight charges
Parker faced eight counts in total but denied five offences, including attempting to steal a coat and a bag and using Healey's Yorkshire Bank card at Tesco on Deansgate in Manchester and to buy a public transport ticket.
The prosecution decided to accept Parker's three guilty pleas and not to proceed to trial on the other five counts.
Parker had been hailed as a hero in the aftermath of the bombing after he described cradling a dying woman.
He will be sentenced on 30 January. The judge, David Hernandez, warned him: "A custodial sentence is most likely in this case."
Career criminal
The court heard Parker has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2000 and has been convicted of offences including shoplifting, theft and criminal damage. In January 2016 he was found guilty of battery and theft from a dwelling and made the subject of a restraining order.
