A disgraced police officer who befriended his elderly neighbor and used her bank card to spend over £30,000 on items including McDonald's, Starbucks, and a Manscaped razor has been dismissed from the force. Merseyside Police Constable Gary Carson began doing errands for the woman, who trusted him due to his role as a response officer, and she gave him her card for limited uses such as ice creams and gifts. However, between February 2020 and March 2023, Carson made unauthorized purchases totaling more than £30,000, including nearly £25,000 at Tesco, over £750 at Starbucks and Amazon, £150 at McDonald's, and payments to Domino's Pizza, Uber Eats, and Manscaped.
Misconduct Hearing and Dismissal
Carson appeared before a Merseyside Police misconduct hearing last month, where it was found he breached standards of professional behavior to the level of gross misconduct. He was sacked without notice and placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing future police employment. The panel determined he used the account to benefit himself and his family, failed to seek help for the neighbor despite her home being in squalor, and showed no remorse.
Confrontation and Investigation
The ECHO confronted Carson at his home in Runcorn, where he confirmed his name before shutting the door. Detective Chief Superintendent Sabi Kaur said Carson exploited a vulnerable woman and undermined public confidence. A criminal investigation by Cheshire Police resulted in no charges due to the neighbor's reluctance to support prosecution.
The neighbor, described as a grandmother figure to Carson's family, had allowed him to use her card for agreed purposes. Carson claimed she insisted on giving gifts, but the panel found his actions intentional and dishonest. The neighbor's daughter discovered the misuse after finding unpaid bills and bank statements showing payments for fuel and Starbucks. The bank reimbursed £10,000.
Panel Findings
The panel noted Carson's financial difficulties and that he registered his email with the neighbor's bank to transfer funds. They concluded he lacked technological ability to make transfers without assistance. Carson did not give evidence, and the panel drew an adverse inference. They found he amended his statement late to justify purchases made while the neighbor was hospitalized.
The panel also found Carson failed to report the neighbor's living conditions to adult social services, despite his training on vulnerabilities. The house was dirty and unsanitary, with the neighbor sleeping on a sofa. Carson's LinkedIn page, which showed his previous role as a national account manager, was deleted after the ECHO's visit.
