A former firefighter, Cameron Hancel, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for misconduct in public office after taking photographs of a car accident victim’s body and sharing them on WhatsApp with “offensive and mocking commentary.” The incident occurred following a two-vehicle crash in Himley, Staffordshire, in March last year.
Hancel, who was employed by the West Midlands Fire Service at the time, pleaded guilty to the offense in August. The court at Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Hancel, 34, had taken images of 38-year-old electrician Kevin Doughty lying dead on the road. He then shared these photographs with several contacts on WhatsApp, including offensive remarks about the deceased.
The firefighter’s actions were uncovered accidentally during a separate police investigation into another death that occurred a week later. The offensive images were discovered on a friend’s phone during the inquiry, which led to Hancel’s arrest.
Judge Michael Chambers KC, delivering the sentence, criticized Hancel’s conduct as “truly appalling and inexplicable,” emphasizing that the public expects emergency services personnel to uphold the highest standards of integrity. He said, “Members of the public expect to be able to place their trust in members of the emergency services.” He added that Mr. Doughty’s family members were “additionally upset and devastated” by Hancel’s behavior, making it even harder for them to come to terms with their loss.
The judge detailed how Hancel’s messages included emojis like laughing and smiling faces, which added to the offensiveness of the commentary. When one of his contacts warned him against sending such images, Hancel responded, “I do what the f*** I want to do – no one tells me s**t.”
During the investigation, Hancel initially tried to deny his involvement by suggesting that other firefighters could have sent the messages as a prank. However, he eventually admitted to sharing the photographs. He was dismissed from the fire service following his arrest in July of last year. He had served as a firefighter for three years prior to his dismissal.
Georgina Davies, Senior Crown Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said, “Cameron Hancel’s actions were a clear betrayal of the trust placed in him as a public servant. As a firefighter, he was employed to protect the public, not to exploit the tragic loss of life. Hancel’s behavior has caused further anguish to the deceased’s family who are still mourning their unimaginable loss.”
The sentencing serves as a stern reminder of the standards expected of public servants and emergency responders. The betrayal of public trust, particularly in sensitive situations involving loss of life, can have profound effects not only on those directly affected but also on the community’s confidence in its institutions.
