Police officer admits buying PORNOGRAPHY while waiting for undertakers at home of a dead child

A Met Police officer has admitted buying pornography at the family home of a dead child while he waited for the undertaker to turn up – and charging it to the grieving relatives.

PC Avi Maharaj, 44, was on duty on his own at the home in south London when he used the family’s television account to purchase £25.96 worth of pornography.

The homeowner had left the property and PC Maharaj, who is based in Earlsfield, was waiting for the undertaker to attend.

PC Maharaj is understood to have made four purchases – at least two while the child’s body remained in the house. 

The 44-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday 16 July 2019 charged with one count of fraud, and pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced on August 6, 2019. 

The member of the public subsequently made a formal complaint and in September the matter was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

They also found evidence that suggested PC Maharaj may have falsified his attendance log to cover his actions.

Independent Office of Police Conduct, regional director Sal Naseem, said: ‘PC Maharaj’s behaviour was shocking and even more so given he was guarding the property in the absence of the homeowner. 

Not only were his actions deceitful but he caused considerable distress for the family involved who were dealing with the sudden death of a family member.

‘Our investigation showed that PC Maharaj was the only person in the property who could have downloaded access to pornographic channels at the time the account was accessed.

‘Today he has admitted his guilt under the weight of compelling evidence. I am sorry that the family involved had to deal with this while also coping with the tragic loss of their child.’

PC Maharaj is also set to face a misconduct hearing.