A FORMER Metropolitan Police officer who lives in Harlow has been jailed for 16 months for stealing cash from a man who collapsed and died in the street.

PC Craig Carter, aged 51, stole about £115 from Italian filmmaker and actor Claudio Gaetani between 7 and 14 September 2022.

Craig Carter, 51 – who had been attached to the North Area Command Unit – previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

On Friday, 13 September, 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.”

On 8 September 2022, PC Carter 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 6 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.

He was dismissed at the conclusion of a one day Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on Thursday, 15 August. After hearing all the evidence the chair found PC Carter breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct, honesty & integrity and duties & responsibilities.

He will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list meaning he cannot serve as a police officer or in a number of other related roles in the future.