Officer admits credit card misuse

Last year the Met withdrew 1,400 force credit cards

A Metropolitan Police officer is facing jail after admitting misusing the force's corporate credit card.

Det Sgt Richard de Cadenet, 38, a member of the counter-terrorism unit, allegedly spent £81,000 and charged it to the American Express card.

But the figure stated by the prosecution at Southwark Crown Court was disputed by the defence.

De Cadenet pleaded guilty to one count of misfeasance in public office between 18 July 2006 and 2 October 2007.

Another serving officer, Det Con Matt Washington, 36, and a former officer, Det Sgt John Gallagher, 52, also face the same charge.

Inquiry into misuse

The court heard that de Cadenet was using the corporate card on personal expenses for more than a year.

The total expense attributed to him was disputed by his defence team. The Crown agreed to "review the position" but said "while it may well be reduced it will not be reduced by much".

De Cadenet resigned from the force's SO13 unit after his arrest last October. He had been involved in investigating the 7 July terror attacks.

An earlier investigation by a police watchdog resulted in 1,400 credit cards being withdrawn and found almost £2m of police expenses unaccounted for.

This figure dropped to £499,000 in January. The current inquiry is looking into the whereabouts of just over a third of that money.

De Cadenet will be sentenced on 4 September.

Mr Washington and Mr Gallagher, the officers facing the same charge, will appear in court at a later date.