A Hertfordshire man has been convicted of impersonating a police officer, after buying police uniform and paraphernalia online.
Craig Buttery, 21, of The Coppice, Bishop's Stortford, admitted one charge of impersonating a police officer, contrary to section 90 of the Police Act 1996; another of common assault, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; and a third of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, contrary to section 89 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, during a recent hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
District Judge Timothy King heard how Buttery had bought kit including handcuffs, a fluorescent jacket, belt and radio with earpiece online.
Ashley Petchley, prosecuting, described how the young fantasist visited a pub wearing full police uniform. He also pulled over a car and questioned the couple inside, before searching them and confiscated a small amount of cannabis.
On 16th January 2019, whilst dressed as a police officer, Buttery pinned a man against a wall and accused him of threatened to smash his friend's car with a baseball bat.
The motoring offence relates to an incident when Buttery drove a friend's vehicle, having falsely reassured her that he was allowed to do so "because policemen are insured on any vehicle".
Judge King said he did not believe Buttery had bought the uniform for "theatrical purposes" and his victim had believed him to be a genuine police officer.
He said: "It is a lot of effort to go to for a theatrical act. It is quite clear that those members of the public thought you were a police officer.
"The public has to have confidence that those who are dressed as police officers are police officers," the Judge added.
Zoe Hoskin, mitigating for Buttery, said he was young and very apologetic for what he had done.
She said: "He recognises it wasn't the best thinking process."
Buttery was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 140 hours unpaid work requirement.
He was fined £126 and his driving licence was endorsed with 6 penalty points.
The CPS appears to have missed a trick here. If they'd been a bit sharper they could have also charged with him possession of cannabis!
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