A CALL handler has been reprimanded after an official investigation found ‘a case to answer for misconduct’ over her lack of response to check on a dying man.

Peter Mitchell was later found covered in maggots and died five days later.

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Now his heartbroken sister Carole Mitchell has called for tougher punishment of the woman to ensure ‘lessons are learnt’ and any repeat of her brother’s ordeal is avoided.

Mr Mitchell was found in his Accrington home on August 12 last year by his sister Carole Mitchell and her daughter Jordyn.

The 64-year-old was discovered slumped on his sofa with maggots coming out of his legs after the handler failed to send out officers when she made a 101 alarm call the previous day.

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found the handler failed to log the call as procedure required.

Ms Mitchell said: “The call handler should have been suspended if not dismissed.

“This would have given her the chance to reflect on her mistakes and set an example to other call handlers so no-one else goes through the ordeal my brother did and no other relative has to discover what we found.”

When disabled Ms Mitchell called 101 again the following morning, she was put on hold so travelled two hours from her North Yorkshire home to her brother’s Major Street house to check up on him.

Mr Mitchell was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he died five days later.

Yesterday the IPCC published its report into the case.

It said the police call handler had received ‘management action’ after its investigator identified ‘a case to answer for misconduct’.

Lancashire Police confirmed the handler received a ‘formal sanction’ and words of advice about her future performance, which would stay on her record.

This could lead to further disciplinary action in the case of future failures.

Ms Mitchell said she would write to Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Mark Bates calling for tougher sanctions and at least the suspension of the call handler, as part of further measures to prevent any repeat.

She is supported by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.

Ms Mitchell said: “This is not adequate punishment. It is just a slap on the wrist.

“There is no evidence the adviser showed any remorse.

“She should have written to us to apologise.

“This is not personal.

“I don’t think this ‘formal sanction’ was sufficient punishment to ensure she has learnt a lesson and Lancashire Police have learnt the lessons needed to ensure this does not happen again.

“I am writing to ACC Bates asking for further action to be taken against her and to ensure that the proper procedures are followed by her and all contact advisers in future.

“I don’t know if sending out an officer immediately would have saved his life but it would have prevented him from suffering another terrifying, cold lonely 24 hours in his house.”

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said: “There were real concerns for Mr Mitchell’s welfare, not least his recent ill-health and lack of contact with family members.

“Despite this, a police officer was not sent to check on Mr Mitchell’s welfare.

“I hope that lessons have been learned.”

Mr Jones said: “I share Ms Mitchell’s concern about the way this case was handled.

“The police need to be mindful in every contact with the public of the impact of their actions on those individuals and their families.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Mitchell and we would like to apologise to them for the clear failings in our initial handling of this case.

“This matter was referred to the IPCC and we accept the findings of their report, which have been acted upon.”