Serving Metropolitan Police officer jailed after stealing £80 from wallet

Wallet (credit Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash) — *Empty wallet (credit Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash)*

A “deceitful” police officer based in Enfield and Haringey has been jailed after stealing £80 from a lost wallet that had been handed in by a member of the public.

PC Mohammad Ghalayini, who is attached to Met’s north area command unit, was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice and has been sentenced to a total of 22 months’ imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.

The theft was reported by a Met Police employee who discovered that £80 was missing from a wallet that had been handed in to police.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who is responsible for policing in Haringey and Enfield, said: “It is bitterly disappointing that an officer has acted in such a deceitful way.

“It is really important that people have more trust in us, but actions like this understandably undermine confidence in the police. Across the Met we are working to clear out those who corrupt us and let down the public.”

PC Ghalayini was arrested on 24th March 2021 following an investigation by the Met’s directorate of professional standards. He was charged on 25th October 2021. Following his conviction at Southwark Crown Court the officer has been suspended from duty and will now face internal misconduct proceedings.

Update (17/11):

At a misconduct hearing on 16th November, PC Ghalayini’s actions were found to have breached the standards of discreditable conduct and honesty and integrity. He was dismissed without notice.

Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines said: “PC Ghalayini, following his imprisonment, has now also been rightly dismissed without notice following his dishonest and deceitful actions.

PC Ghalayini will now be added to the barred list held by the College of Policing.

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