DAVID WILLEY STRUCK OFF IN FARINGDON AFTER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES CONVICTION

In May 2019, a serious disciplinary action was taken against David Willey, a paramedic based in Faringdon, after his conviction related to possessing and creating indecent images of children. Willey, who resided at Stickley Court in Faringdon, was previously recognized for his bravery as a paramedic but faced a significant professional downfall following the revelation of his criminal activities.

Willey was employed by South Central Ambulance Service at the time of his arrest. The police first raided his residence on May 18, 2017, leading to his immediate arrest. During police interviews, Willey admitted to viewing adult pornography but claimed he was unable to stop due to pop-up advertisements, which he said contributed to his problematic behavior.

In August 2018, Willey appeared at Oxford Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included one count of possessing prohibited images of children and two counts of making indecent photographs of children. The court sentenced him to a 24-month community order, which included participation in the Horizon programme for 25 sessions and a requirement to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, Willey was ordered to pay court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge.

Following his arrest and subsequent conviction, Willey resigned from his position with the ambulance service. His resignation effectively barred him from practicing as a paramedic in the future, and the disciplinary panel from the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service (HCPTS) officially struck him off the professional register.

The tribunal panel emphasized that their primary concern was public safety rather than punishment. They noted that Willey had taken some steps to address his behavior but concluded that the risk of reoffending persisted. The panel highlighted that until August 2023, Willey would remain subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

During the hearing, the panel stated that an informed member of the public would be justifiably shocked by Willey’s actions and that public confidence in the paramedic profession and its regulatory framework would be severely undermined if no impairment was found. The panel reaffirmed that such conduct is unacceptable within the profession and that it was their duty to uphold high standards of conduct and behavior.

In conclusion, the tribunal made it clear that Willey’s actions and convictions warranted a finding of impairment, reinforcing the message that behavior of this nature is incompatible with the responsibilities of a paramedic. The decision underscores the importance of maintaining trust and integrity within emergency medical services, especially in light of Willey’s criminal conduct involving children.