Paramedic who pocketed cash from woman who had just died at her home is spared jail
A paramedic who pocketed cash belonging to a 94-year-old woman who had just died has been spared jail.
Mark Titley, 58, of Linley Avenue, Pontesbury, was given 18 weeks suspended for 12 months when he admitted theft at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and pay £530 costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
The court heard that he was one of four paramedics who attended an address in Torrin Drive, Shrewsbury, after reports that a 94-year-old lady had collapsed in her garden on June 29 last year.
The lady lived alone and CPR and advanced life support was conducted for about 20 minutes before she was sadly pronounced deceased.
Titley then entered the property in search of a 'Do Not Resuscitate' form.
He was caught on camera going into a plastic box containing cash.
He was seen to lift up the notes, count through them and place some of the cash – about £60 – in his trouser pocket.
He then looked around the room, spotted the camera and immediately put the cash back in the box.
This act was seen on the camera footage by the victim's son, who described feeling ‘disgusted and sick to my stomach’ upon reviewing it.
He immediately reported it to West Mercia Police.
Titley initially denied the allegation within interview, claiming that he was intending on taking the money out to family members for them to ‘secure’ it.
He retired from West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS ) only days after the incident and is no longer a serving paramedic.
WMAS' Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer, Nathan Hudson, said they were pleased the case had been taken to court, and were shocked at Titley's actions.
He said: "Our staff will be horrified that one of their former colleagues would do something like this.
"We hold a position of trust when we enter someone's home and these sorts of actions rightly put a stain on all of our reputations which is deeply regrettable and makes it much harder for staff who are still working.
"We are pleased that this was taken to court and dealt with by the criminal justice system.”
