Former firefighter sentenced for sharing photos of dead man on WhatsApp

A former firefighter who took and shared photos of a dead man while on duty has been sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment.

Cameron Hancel, 34, of Rowley Regis, Sandwell was sentenced today (Friday, 4 October 2024) at Wolverhampton Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after taking photos of the deceased at the scene of a fatal car accident and sending them to others.

On 13 March 2023, the ex-West Midlands Fire Service firefighter was a first responder at the scene of a road traffic collision when he took three photos on his personal mobile phone and shared these with friends on WhatsApp. In the message, he also downplayed the tragic event that claimed the deceased’s life.

The offence was discovered after West Midlands Police reviewed a mobile phone that had received his message.

Hancel initially denied sending the photos to others but later admitted that his actions amounted to misconduct in public office.

Georgina Davies, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “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. As a firefighter, he was employed to protect the public, not to exploit the tragic loss of life. Hancel’s behaviour has caused further anguish to the deceased’s family who are still mourning their unimaginable loss and I hope that today’s proceedings provide some measure of justice and closure during this difficult time.”