A Metropolitan police officer has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after stealing money from a man who died after collapsing.

PC Craig Carter, 51, of Harlow, Essex, stole about £115 from Claudio Gaetani between 7 and 14 September 2022.

Carter appeared at Wood Green crown court on Friday to plead guilty to the charge, which stated he “took for his own use money from a wallet received by him in evidence in relation to a sudden death”.

The judge, Daniel Fugallo, said: “I have to make absolutely clear that an immediate custodial sentence seems the likely outcome in this case.”

Fugallo granted Carter unconditional bail before 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.