Greg Brinklow leaving Westminster magistrates court after admitting fraud and theft
(Picture: ES/Tristan Kirk)A Metropolitan Police forensic specialist has admitted stealing cameras from work to sell on eBay as he battled debts worth £16,000.
Greg Brinklow, 56, came under suspicion from colleagues in the forensics unit when he started receiving packages at work, and was suspected of stealing equipment.
Three cameras were found at his home by investigators, while a trawl of Brinklow’s eBay account revealed the sale of a Nikon D700 digital camera and two lenses.
Brinklow, a Met Police employee of 25 years and a special constable since 2010, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday to plead guilty to theft and fraud.
“Mr Brinklow was at the time working with the Metropolitan Police Service within the forensics unit”, said prosecutor David Burns.
“His colleagues became suspicious as Mr Brinklow received a number of packages through work. There were some concerns that he was selling items belonging to the Metropolitan Police for gain for himself.
“An investigation was carried out, Mr Brinklow’s property was searched, and in the property were three cameras which were identified as belonging to the Metropolitan Police Service.
“Further investigation was carried out on Mr Brinklow’s eBay account, where three cameras were sold by Mr Brinklow.”
Mr Burns said the stolen cameras – taken in August 2020 - that had been recovered were worth £3,500, while the equipment sold online had been valued at around £3,600.
Brinklow – who worked for 11 years at the Imperial War Museum as a photographic officer - claims the camera equipment sold on eBay was worth just £900, as it was “obsolete”.
He has been suspended from the Met since the allegations came to light, and now faces losing his job.
The court was told Brinklow is “very remorseful” for his actions, as he battled debts of £16,000 which stem back to the breakdown of his first marriage.
“He feels he has let everyone down, let himself down, let his wife down, and let his colleagues down”, said Brinklow’s solicitor.
“His debts simply snowballed and got out of control. Due to the pressure of debtors and making payments, he acted in a way that was completely out of character.”
Brinklow’s second wife was at the back of court to support him. He was freed on bail until a sentencing hearing on April 6.
Brinklow, from Northampton, pleaded guilty to theft by employee and fraud by false representation.
Assistant Commissioner for Met Operations Louisa Rolfe said: "The Directorate of Professional Standards acted immediately when informed about Brinklow’s activities and as a result he has now been rightly convicted. Dishonesty has no place at all in the Met."
Scotland Yard said Brinklow had been arrested and interviewed in November 2020, and he was charged 15 months later.
