A Metropolitan Police officer who stole from a dead man who collapsed on the street has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

Craig Carter, 51, from Harlow in Essex, was sent to collect Claudio Gaetani’s property, including a wallet, following his sudden, non-suspicious death in north London in September 2022.

Mr Gaetani’s family suspected money to be missing when the items were returned to them.

Body-worn video from the scene showed Carter counting out about £100.

When the wallet was booked into the Met’s property store, only £6 and a few euros were inside.

Carter appeared earlier at Wood Green Crown Court, where Judge Daniel Fugallo told him to expect a custodial sentence.

He was granted bail and is due to be sentenced at the same court in September.

Mr Gaetani, an Italian filmmaker and actor, was reportedly visiting London for a theatre festival at the Southbank Centre.

He collapsed and died while cycling to a house in Hornsey where he was staying with friends.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Carter’s behaviour had fallen “woefully short” of the public’s expectations of a police officer.

It said: “It is not only disturbing, but deeply disrespectful to the victim’s family. Our thoughts remain with them at this time.”