Caught on video: Paramedic stands with hands in pockets as man dies of heart attack in front of him

Carl Cope is pictured falling to the ground, but paramedic Matt Geary can be seen with his hands in his pockets as the victim suffers a fatal heart attack.

The footage was revealed for the first time today as Geary was given a suspended prison sentence for failing to examine or resuscitate Mr Cope.

Note: The man in the black suit is a security guard and a man in the background is a passer-by. The man stood in the white shirt is paramedic Geary.

Geary and a colleague were called when Mr Cope dialled 999 after collapsing on a grass verge on Hawbush Road, near his Bloxwich home.

Geary took him to Walsall Manor Hospital A&E, where CCTV images showed the victim 'struggling to make himself comfortable and visibly in a lot of pain' in the waiting room.

After seven minutes, Mr Cope went to a nearby shop to get a drink.

On his way back, he collapsed outside the hospital doors - in full view of Geary, who was sat in his ambulance.

Mr Cope, who leaves behind four brothers and two sisters, would have celebrated his 50th birthday last year. On the sentencing of Geary, Mr Cope's family have released the following statement:

"Nobody should ever have to go through what we have endured for the past two-and-a-half years.

"It's hard to lose a loved one but to lose a loved one under such tragic circumstances has had a devastating effect on our family.

"We still can't understand what happened to him that day and none of us can come to terms with the loss that someone - who was such a big part of our family - was taken from us so unnecessarily."

Det Insp Justin Spanner said: "Carl had a serious heart condition - that's why he dialled 999. After Carl collapsed outside the hospital, Geary did nothing on that day to care for him and there is a chance that if he had actually done something, then Carl would still be alive today.

"Geary's actions were purely his own, as indicated by the CCTV which shows him with his hands in his pockets while Carl dies in front of him. He is no way an example of other ambulance staff, the vast majority of whom do a wonderful job in challenging circumstances.

"The CCTV was handed to us by West Midlands Ambulance Service, who were also concerned about what they had seen. We hope this case reassures people that where we find evidence of wrongdoing and if proved, we will work tirelessly to secure a conviction.

"As ever, our condolences remain with Carl's family who continue to grieve for their loss in these tragic circumstances."

Footage showed how Geary watched from the ambulance as Mr Cope stayed on the ground for more than 30 seconds.

Mr Cope gets back up and manages a few more steps before finally collapsing.

Even then, Geary's neglect continued.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Geary, fully aware he brought Mr Cope to the hospital suffering from chest pains, is finally seen on CCTV going to his patient.

"He takes no equipment with him and stands over Mr Cope, with his hands in his pockets, talking to him for two minutes. Geary takes a closer look at Mr Cope and then wrongly asks the hospital security to deal with him, before returning to his ambulance.

"When the security guard is seen arriving five minutes later, Carl Cope did not appear to be showing any signs of life."

A post mortem confirmed Mr Cope died of a heart attack. Had his chest pain been considered and monitored properly, experts said his chances of survival would have been 'significantly higher'.

Geary was among five ambulance and hospital staff arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Mr Cope's death, which happened at around 10.15am on June 23.

Manslaughter charges were not pursued as he may not have survived the heart attack.

Det Insp Justin Spanner said today: "We had seen the CCTV footage of Carl collapsing and listened to his 999 call.

"Carl had been treated very poorly and we were determined the circumstances surrounding his death were not simply swept under the carpet.

"We couldn't move forward with a manslaughter prosecution so we began to investigate what other offences may have been committed.

"Three people ? Geary, another ambulance worker and a nurse ? who were no longer working in their jobs as a result of the initial investigation, were then charged with failing to discharge their duties in taking care of the health and safety of Carl Cope."

Geary, aged 36 and of Manor Avenue, Great Wyrley, admitted the charge against him in December 2014.

Today, Geary was handed an eight month suspended sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 240 hours community service.

Charges against the other two were dropped.