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

Craig Carter, 51, from Harlow in Essex, took about £115 from a wallet he had gathered in evidence in relation to the sudden death of Claudio Gaetani.

Carter appeared 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 fell “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.”

Det Supt Marco Bardetti, from North Area, said the evidence against Carter “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,” he added.

“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.”