Ex-BTP Worker Guilty of Sharing Grim Railway Death Image
Joshua Tilt, 31, from Bartley Green, pleaded guilty today at Birmingham Crown Court to misconduct in public office. The former British Transport Police (BTP) Force Control Room staffer faces sentencing on 14 December.
Shocking Breach of Trust
On 21 June 2022, Tilt snapped a mobile photo of a highly sensitive image showing the scene of a railway fatality. The image had been sent to the Force Control Room via email as part of a coroner’s investigation.
He then admitted to sending this distressing picture to his girlfriend and later to a WhatsApp group chat including 12 people. The leak sparked immediate alarm within BTP.
Swift Investigation and Dismissal
- Concerned colleagues reported Tilt’s actions to BTP’s Professional Standards Department on 28 June.
- A full probe was launched, and Tilt was arrested on 30 June.
- He admitted his misconduct during police interview.
- Tilt tried to resign, but his resignation was rejected.
- He was formally dismissed without notice on 14 July.
Top Brass Condemn Actions, Apologise to Family
Deputy Chief Constable Alistair Sutherland said: “The actions of Joshua Tilt have shocked each of us at BTP to the core. We take great pride in supporting families through some of the darkest days of their lives and treating them with care and respect. To know one of our own intensified that suffering is incredibly distressing.”
“Our Chief Constable personally visited the victim’s family to explain and apologise unreservedly. Tilt’s conduct is sickening and totally unacceptable. It does not represent the thousands of professional officers and staff at BTP who serve the community with honour every day.”
He added: “To the family of Lewis Williams – we are truly sorry this happened.”
