Mugshot of ex-firefighter who photographed dead man, branding him a 'fat corpse' on WhatsApp

Georgina Davies, of the Crown Prosecution Service, hoped the verdict would provide the victim's family with "some measure of justice and closure."

This is the first picture of a former firefighter who took and shared photos of a dead man while on duty and called him a 'fat corpse'. Cameron Hancel was a first responder with West Midlands Fire Service when he was dispatched to the scene of a two-car smash on March 13 2023. The 34-year-old "made light" of the tragedy before whipping out his personal mobile and taking three photographs of lifeless body as it lay on the roadside, being administered CPR.

Hancel - who is now working in construction - then callously shared the distasteful pictures on WhatsApp, asking friends 'wanna see?' He even told friends how it had been 'hard work dragging' the victim from his ruined car before agreeing that the man was a 'fat b******'.

The offence was discovered after West Midlands Police reviewed a mobile phone that had received his message. He initially denied sending the photos to others but later admitted that his actions amounted to misconduct in public office.

Read More: West Midlands firefighter took photos of dead man and called him 'fat corpse' on WhatsApp

Hancel, of Rowley Regis, Sandwell claimed he only took the 'disrespectful' photos as a way of coping with the pressures of the job. He was sentenced today (Friday, 4 October 2024) to 20 months' in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.

Georgina Davies, of the Crown Prosecution Service, hoped the verdict would provide the victim's family with "some measure of justice and closure." She 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.”