A former nursing student at a top private hospital in Hong Kong has been remanded in custody for allegedly stealing more than US$100,000 ($12,870), credit cards and a phone from patients and colleagues.

Leung Ho-fung, 27, was escorted to the Eastern Court on Friday to face nine charges of theft and six of obtaining property by deception.

He was not required to speak other than to confirm he understood the charges as the prosecution sought an adjournment of more than seven weeks for police to carry out further investigations.

Leung is accused of stealing an iPhone 15 Pro Max, 11 credit cards and $9,000 from seven men and two women.

Five of the alleged theft incidents took place at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital in Happy Valley between September 19 and October 19 this year, a charge sheet filed in court showed.

The prosecutor’s office did not identify the time and locations of the other four alleged thefts.