Former PC jailed after conviction for stealing from dead man
A former police constable has been jailed following an investigation into the theft of dead man’s money.
Craig Carter, 51 – who had been attached to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) North Area Command Unit – previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.
On Friday (September 13), he was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who is in charge of the North Area Command Unit, said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the serious nature of Carter’s offending, having pleaded guilty in July.
“There is no place in the Met for officers who abuse their position. As a result of this plea, we were able to instigate misconduct proceedings and he was dismissed from the Met the following month.”
The MPS said on September 8, 2022, PC Carter had attended the scene of the non-suspicious death of 45-year-old 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 October 6, 2022, after they collected property and suspected money to be missing.
The MPS 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.
He was dismissed at the conclusion of a one-day accelerated misconduct hearing last month.
The MPS said: “After hearing all the evidence the chair found PC Carter breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, honesty and integrity and duties and responsibilities.
“He will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list.”