The fact that the criminal participated actively in the funerals has appalled the mourners.
After terrorising three women for 26 years, a police sergeant who was disgraced is currently employed as an undertaker.
The fact that Iain Pittams assisted with the funerals of their loved ones has shocked the mourners.
One reported that when they arrived to a relative’s funeral, Pittams was driving the hearse, carrying the casket, and giving out cords at the burial, leaving them shaken.
He works for Dignity PLC, a funeral home and funeral services provider that claims on its website that it only employs “caring individuals” who have “compassion” and “respect.”
After being revealed as a repeated wife abuser and being forced to resign from the force, the 54-year-old managed to land a job at the Kilmarnock headquarters of the company.
Over the course of more than 20 years, Pittams subjected two wives and a long-term girlfriend to a litany of physical and psychological abuse.
When he couldn’t find a pair of socks for one victim while they were on vacation, he hurled a cutlery drawer at them since it was filthy.
After joining the force, he started abusing and assaulting his victims. He even got into a relationship with one of them and married her after learning that she had been stalked by her boyfriend.
Pittams, who was then from Hamilton, was spared jail time in 2018 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for the charges. By leaving his position before to the conclusion of the legal matter, he avoided punishment.
Despite his conviction, Dignity employed him and he now works as a Funeral Service Operative, frequently engaging with grieving families.
And another person expressed to the Record their surprise at seeing him at their loved one’s burial. “Recently, I attended the funeral of a relative with whom I was very close,” they stated.
“I was shocked to see Iain Pittams working in the parlour when we arrived for her appointment. It was unbelievable to me.
He was immediately identifiable to me as the police sergeant who was forced to retire early due to his involvement in repeated domestic abuse.
After the funeral, he assisted in removing the corpse from the parlour and even drove the hearse to the cemetery.
Once there, he assisted with both the coffin’s delivery to the burial and the distribution of the cords. After what he’s done, I’m completely repulsed that someone could work in this field.
“It also surprised other relatives who were present. People still remember the court case of the police officer who was accused of such severe domestic abuse, which was alarming.
“After the service, I visited the Dignity website and saw that employees assist individuals ‘through difficult times and always with compassion, respect, openness, and care.'”
In addition, the organisation states that it “offers a range of challenging and rewarding roles for caring individuals,” and in a job advertisement I read, it is stated that “professional and empathetic” personnel are desired.
“How is it possible for a man who terrorised three women he was meant to love to show empathy, respect, and compassion for strangers?
“It disgusts me that a serial domestic abuser is engaging with weak people who are going through a really trying moment, as when they lost a loved one.
“If this is the kind of person Dignity hires, then neither my family nor I will ever use them again.” Pittams defended the choice to recruit him when questioned if it was the right job for him.
He revealed to the Record that for a number of months, he had been employed in an office-based administrative position with no public access.
However, he claimed it was “a one-off” when informed that the previous day he had been spotted transporting caskets to a funeral home. “I disclosed my prior convictions to my current employer,” he continued.
Human resources decided that they were pleased to have me work for them.I haven’t kept anything from them a secret. I want to move on with my life since I’ve changed, had counselling, and am in a committed, loving relationship.”I’ve accepted my guilt, acknowledged that what I did was wrong, and have made every effort to improve as a person.I’m attempting to atone for my previous actions. My personal development is ongoing.
“We have a very robust recruitment and screening process,” a Dignity spokeswoman stated.
“Mr. Pittams met all requirements for employment, including DBS and reference checks, prior to beginning work as a funeral service employee.”
Pittams, who served 26 years in law enforcement, appeared to have a “undiagnosed mental health problem dating from 1985-1991” while he was in the Navy, according to defence attorney Iain Cahill during Pittams’ court appearance.
