﻿A Met police officer is facing the end of his career after admitting using a grieving family’s cable TV account to order pornography.

PC Avi Maharaj, 44, who was based in Earlsfield, was called to the property in south London in February 2018 following the death of a child.

The homeowner had left the house and Maharaj was waiting for the undertaker when he used the family’s account to make the £25.96 purchase. He was the only person in the house at the time.

An investigation by the Independent Office of Police Complaints (IOPC) found he may have falsified his attendance log to cover his actions.

Maharaj pleaded guilty to one count of fraud at Westminster magistrates court on 16 July. He is due to be sentenced on 6 August.

Sal Naseem, IOPC regional director, 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.”

A misconduct hearing – which could spell the end of Maharaj’s career – will be scheduled after sentencing.