Metropolitan Police officer admits stealing £115 from dead man’s wallet

26 July 2024 , 17:43

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Metropolitan Police officer admits stealing £115 from dead man’s wallet

Craig Carter took money which had been "received by him in evidence" between 7 and 14 September 2022.

A police officer has admitted misconduct in public office after stealing £115 from a man who died suddenly after collapsing.

Metropolitan Police officer Craig Carter, 51, took the money from a wallet which had belonged to Claudio Gaetani between 7 and 14 September 2022.

Carter, from Harlow, Essex, admitted the stolen cash had been "received by him in evidence" as he pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court in north London on Friday.

Judge Daniel Fugallo said: "I have to make absolutely clear that an immediate custodial sentence seems the likely outcome in this case."

The judge ordered a pre-sentence report and granted Carter unconditional bail ahead of his sentencing at the same court on 13 September.

He added: "Neither the ordering of the report nor the fact that I am granting you bail should be taken as any indication to the type of sentence you will receive."

Carter, who works for the Met’s North Area Command Unit which covers Enfield and Haringey, is suspended from duty.

Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The vast majority of police officers are viewed by members of the public as trustworthy, responsible and upstanding members of our society. Craig Carter fell woefully short of these expectations. 

"The fact Carter thought he could freely steal from a victim who had sadly passed away is not only disturbing, but deeply disrespectful to the victim’s family. Our thoughts remain with them at this time.

"After collaborative work from the CPS and Metropolitan Police Service, Carter was left with no option but to plead guilty and face the consequences of his actions."

Emma Davis