Scotland Yard detective ‘stole more than £83,000 seized from passengers travelling through Heathrow Airport’
Michael Harrington denies the 16 counts of theft
A MET cop accused of stealing more than £83,000 from Heathrow Airport passengers today claimed "the integrity of the whole department was in question".
The serving financial investigator in the Economic Crime Unit allegedly stole cash from 16 people in a five-year crime spree.
Michael Harrington, 45, is charged with 16 counts of theft between 2010-2015.
He was suspended from the Met when the allegations were brought against him in July last year.
Today he appeared at Southwark Crown Court and spoke only to confirm his name and to deny the counts.
He stood calmly in the dock throughout the hearing before he was released on conditional bail.
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Edward Henry, defending, said the trial could take up to six weeks due to Harrington's claims the department's system had "broken down" due to "massive pressure and strain to seize cash".
He said: "People used each other's passwords, people had access to each other's cases and the integrity of the whole department was in question.
"When I say integrity I mean of the system."
Prosecutor Jane Oldfield said: "If the system is being attacked as it were, that may require further evidence."
Judge Anthony Leonard QC told Harrington he would be back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 7, 2017.
Harrington, of Parkside Place, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, denies 16 counts of theft totalling up to £83,500.
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