Former Firefighter Jailed for Sharing Photos of Dead Man on WhatsApp

Hi and welcome to this JK B'HAM Crime Report for VPN: REGIONAL NETWORKS:

A former firefighter from Rowley Regis has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for sharing photographs of a deceased man at a crash scene via WhatsApp. Cameron Hancel, 34, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at Wolverhampton Crown Court in August.

Hancel, who was employed by West Midlands Fire Service, took five images of the deceased at the scene of a fatal road accident on March 13, 2023. The photos, which included images of the man’s uncovered body, limbs, and blood-stained airbag, were then widely distributed to his partner and friends along with mocking and derogatory messages.

When his partner questioned his actions, he rrsponded 'I'm allowed, I do whatever the ----. I want to do, nobody tells me ----."

Hancel, of Chichester Drive, Rowley Regis, was arrested on July 17, 2023, when images and messages were found on a friend’s phone.

Hancel initially denied sending the photos to multiple people, attempting to shift blame onto his colleagues.

Hancel later claimed his betrayal of public trust was a means of coping with the trauma of the scene.

At sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC described Hancel’s actions as “appalling mocking of the victim and willful dissemination of awful images,” emphasizing the impact on both the deceased’s family and public trust in emergency services.

Georgina Davies of the Crown Prosecution Service reiterated the breach of trust, stating: “Cameron Hancel’s actions were a clear betrayal of the trust placed in him as a public servant. Despite initially denying the allegations, the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution led him to accept that his conduct was not only unprofessional but criminal.”

Hancel’s behavior added further distress to the deceased’s grieving family, who had to endure not only the loss of their loved one but also the violation of his dignity through Hancel’s callous distribution of the images.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Jason King

Birmingham City-Desk

Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews

Jasonkingnews@gmail.com