Ex-Met Police Sergeant Caught Stealing from Dead
A former Metropolitan Police sergeant has been found guilty of stealing over £11,000 from the estates of deceased individuals. Graeme Williams, 66, from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was convicted on 3 December 2019 at Snaresbrook Crown Court after a trial for three counts of theft by employee.
Trusted Officer Turned Thief
Williams served 26 years in the Metropolitan Police, retiring as a sergeant in Hackney in 2013. He was responsible for handling non-suspicious sudden death cases, a role that involved managing cash and property recovered from the deceased’s homes.
After his retirement, Williams continued as a police volunteer from May 2014, maintaining full control over these belongings until heirs were found. Instead, he stole more than £11,000 from three estates between July 2012 and June 2015.
Police Outraged by Betrayal of Trust
“It beggars belief that someone trusted as both a police officer and volunteer would behave so disgracefully,” said Detective Constable Matt Wigg, who led the investigation. “To steal from the dead is shameful. Families already grieving were made to suffer further because of Williams’s actions.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Marcus Barnett added: “I have been appalled to learn that Williams abused the trust placed in him for financial gain. Such behaviour is a betrayal of everything the Met police stands for. Instances like this are rare, but they fall far below our high professional standards. I offer my sincerest apologies to the affected families for the distress caused during their time of mourning.”
Sentencing Set for January 2020
Williams is due to be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 7 January 2020. Following the verdict, the case will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
