Man found guilty of impersonating a police officer

Police-style handcuffs, a dash cam and a baseball bat were found in the car

A security guard who pulled over a woman on an isolated country lane while impersonating a police officer has been convicted.

Chris Green, 32, of Nero Place, Peterborough, used a flashing blue light in his car to flag the driver down before informing her she had been "driving dangerously".

Swindon Magistrates' Court heard he had been driving at 30mph in a 60mph zone in Wiltshire when she overtook him on 6 May 2023. However, he then overtook her and confronted her.

When challenged, Green said he worked for a fictional undercover crime unit called "The Brotherhood" and was unable to produce a badge number. He denied impersonating a police officer but was found guilty on Thursday and is due to be sentenced on 28 June.

The court heard it was only after he noticed the victim's young son in the back of the car did he tell the victim he would "let it go".

Later, officers found a blue LED light inside his car as well as police-style handcuffs, a dash cam and a baseball bat.

Officers were able to trace the car because the woman recorded his registration plate.

Green admitted in court he had illuminated the blue lights, but denied impersonating a police officer.

Sibylle Cheruvier, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This was a wholly unnerving incident for the victim involved, who was in a vulnerable position as a lone female driver.

"I commend the victim for keeping her wits about her and recording Green's number plate, through which police were able to locate him shortly after."

'Wits about her'

She added: "Impersonation of a police officer is clearly a cause of concern for the community, and we are pleased that the court has seen through Green's deception.

"I am very grateful to the victim for her support throughout this case, without which we would not have been able to prove Green's intentions.

"We urge anyone who is unsure if they have been stopped by a genuine police officer to contact the police immediately."