'I hope nobody has to suffer the way we have' - Family of man who died of heart attack whilst his flat was being burgled speak out.
He was the very heart of our family' - Those are the words of the loving niece of Fitzroy Green who died outside his flat in Dudley in December 2024 whilst at the same time it was being burgled.
Jason Pettit, aged and Jodie Westwood who lived near to the high rise block in Himley Street, Dudley and witnessed the 53 year-old fighting for life after suffering a heart attack - Westwood even called for an ambulance.
But Pettit took the flat keys off Mr Green and took items including a laptop, his phone and a tablet before him and Westwood were identified by police who attended the emergency as being wanted for another burglary.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday they were jailed for over six years collectively for a joint charge of theft and Pettit for another one of burglary.
After the case, Mr Green's niece Sian Bennett told the Express & Star the family hoped nobody would have to suffer like they had and that Pettit and Westwood would take the time of the prison sentence to reflect on their actions and be remorseful.
She said: "My uncle was a mentor to many in the family, he cared for his brother who had mobility issues and always looked out for his sister, our mum and nieces and nephews. He really had a heart of gold and was well liked in the community.
"To think of what was happening when he was fighting for life and people were trying to save him has been hard to take - the one year anniversary has passed and it doesn't get any easier.
"We understand the two who carried out the crime have sent letters of remorse and hopefully the length of the sentence will give them time to reflect and change their ways because no family should have to suffer like us."
In court, a victim impact statement by Mrs Bennett was read out which said: "He was the very heart of the family and was more than a son and uncle to us - his loss and the circumstances behind it devastated us and he didn't deserve what happened which was to be betrayed in the cruellest way."
Judge Laura Hobson told Pettit and Westwood: "Your actions were selfish, mean and callous. You targeted him when he was most vulnerable and the family not only have to live with his loss, but the knowledge of what was going on as he died."
