Police officer bought porn on grieving family’s account while waiting for undertaker to collect child’s body

Court hears ‘distressed’ father initially thought 14-year-old son had purchased clips

Avi Maharaj arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on 6 August (PA)

A police officer used a grieving family’s cable television account to order pornography as he waited for an undertaker to collect their son’s body, a court has heard.

Avi Maharaj had been called to the property after the 14-year-old’s death in February last year and later falsified logs to cover his tracks.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the Metropolitan Police officer caused the boy’s father “considerable distress” because he initially believed his son had downloaded the clips.

“His last impression of his son was that he had been downloading this material,” said prosecutor Rose Edwin.

It was only when the father contacted Virgin Media and was told what time the clips were downloaded that he realised his son could not have been responsible.

Maharaj had been alone in the house when he used the family’s account to download pornography worth £25.96.

His defence lawyer, Edmund Gritt, described his actions as “completely insensible”, adding: "Without question, his career as a police officer is terminated."

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to fraud last month and was due to be sentenced on Tuesday, but the hearing has been referred to Southwark Crown Court.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found that Maharaj, a police constable, may have falsified his attendance log to cover his actions.

He denied making the purchases during the watchdog’s investigation but admitted fraud in July.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem, said: “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.

“I am sorry that the family involved had to deal with this while also coping with the tragic loss of their child.”

Maharaj has been suspended from the Metropolitan Police and a full misconduct hearing will be scheduled after is sentenced to determine whether he will be sacked.

Additional reporting by PA