PC Craig Carter pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at Wood Green Crown Court

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office following an investigation into the theft from a dead man’s money.

PC Craig Carter, aged 51 and attached to the north area command unit covering Enfield and Haringey, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, 26th July where he admitted the offence.

Detective Superintendent Marco Bardetti said: “It is clear from today’s guilty plea that PC Carter knows what he did was wrong and falls well below what any of us would expect from a police officer. The evidence against him could not be denied.

“In September 2022, PC Carter was responsible for looking after a man who had sadly died in the street, as well as taking responsibility for his personal possessions.

“A family, struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one, should not be put in a position where they have to make a complaint against an officer, suspecting that they have taken money.

“The Met is not an organisation that will tolerate such behaviour.”

On 8th September 2022, PC Carter attended the scene of a non-suspicious death of a 45-year-old man, Claudio Gaetani. As part of his duties, he collected the man’s property, including his wallet.

A complaint was received from the man’s family on 6th October 2022 after they collected property and suspected money to be missing.

The Directorate of Professional Standards launched an investigation and examined PC Carter’s body worn video from the scene. It showed him counting approximately £100. When it was booked into the property store, only £6 and a small amount of Euros were inside.

PC Carter was charged in June this year.

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. 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.”

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