Warning: The content in this article may be upsetting.
The bereaved family of a teenager who took his own life say they are left feeling 'violated' as the police officer who shared pictures of their son's body is sent down.
An ex-British Transport Police employee has been sent to prison after admitting to sharing the image of the RAF Cadet Lewis Williams who took his own life on Slough's train tracks in 2021.
Lewis, aged 18, had struggled with mental health issues and had taken his life on June 21.
Following his death, police control room worker Joshua Tilt shared an explicit image of the teenager’s dead body with his partner and friends on WhatsApp.
He was jailed yesterday (December 14) at Birmingham Crown Court for misconduct in public office with a sentence of two years and two months.
READ MORE: Joshua Tilt jailed for sharing dead body image of Cadet Lewis Williams
Following the sentencing, Lewis's father, Paul Williams, said in a statement: “The reason I am here today is not because of the tragic death of my son but what happened after.
“Lewis suffered from an emotionally unstable personality disorder. He lost that battle and died under a train.
“What followed made it unbearable. The last image I have of my son has been violated.
“It has been replaced by the image of his severed head. I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.
“Lewis was popular, funny and we were a close family and he shared his heart with us. He would always put people’s problems ahead of his own.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel