A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been jailed after confessing to stealing cash from crime scenes, including a high-profile murder investigation. PC Hussain Chehab, 23, was sentenced to two years and eight months at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to four counts of theft.
The court heard how Chehab abused his position to steal money while attending incidents across London, including a murder case in Greenwich. The officer, attached to the South East Basic Command Unit, was caught after colleagues grew suspicious of his behaviour.
Systematic Betrayal of Public Trust
Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly revealed how Chehab had stolen £1,040 in total between June and August 2023. The thefts occurred at various locations including a murder scene in Greenwich, a burglary in Bexleyheath, and other incidents in Bromley and Lewisham.
"This was a systematic betrayal of the trust placed in police officers," Donnelly told the court. "He stole from vulnerable victims and even from a murder investigation, showing complete disregard for his duty."
Caught by Colleagues
The court heard how fellow officers became suspicious when they noticed Chehab frequently visiting police vehicles alone. CCTV footage later showed him taking money from evidence bags. When confronted, Chehab initially denied the allegations before eventually confessing.
Defence lawyer Andrew Evans described his client as "immature" and claimed he had been struggling with gambling debts. However, Judge Christopher Hehir dismissed this as mitigation, stating: "Nothing can excuse the gross breach of trust involved in these offences."
Fallout for Police Integrity
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Chehab has been suspended and faces misconduct proceedings. Commander Trevor Lawry expressed "deep disappointment" at the officer's actions, stating: "We expect the highest standards of professionalism and integrity from our officers."
This case comes amid ongoing scrutiny of police conduct in London, following several high-profile misconduct cases in recent years. The Met has vowed to review procedures for handling evidence at crime scenes in light of this incident.
