Bogus police officer copped by... a real one

Date published: 14 February 2012

A 28-year-old man who posed as a police officer to charm a group of women in a pub has been fined £150.

Wesley Hudson, of Durham Street, Rochdale, told tall stories while wearing an authentic force T-shirt. What he didn’t realise was that one of the women was a police officer.

Hudson was exposed as a fake when the woman became suspicious and contacted her colleagues back at the station, a court heard.

Hudson led pub goers to believe he was a member of Greater Manchester Police who worked as a prison officer at HMP Forest Bank, after a woman noticed he was sporting a uniform under his jacket emblazoned with the police insignia.

More women joined the party later at a pub on Huddersfield Road, close to the Mossley and Greenfield areas — one a real police officer.

Hudson continued the act — even warning boozers to enjoy themselves, but not to drink and drive. Mrs Hopkinson, prosecuting, said: “The officer became suspicious saying there were inconsistencies in his stories, though some were really plausible. They still contacted the police.

“Mr Hudson admitted he was not a police officer to an attending officer and said the T-shirt was obtained through a family friend.

“When this was investigated, the family friend said he had not seen the defendant for a number of years.”

Oldham Magistrates’ Court heard how Hudson, had mixed medication with lager and Jack Daniels, during the day last May.

In a formal interview Hudson apologised and described how medication was used to help with mental-health issues.

Richard Birtwistle, defending, said Hudson’s self-esteem at the time was at a “low ebb.”

He added: “When confronted by his mother’s friend, he wanted to give the impression he was not a failure. Over a short time he impersonated someone with Greater Manchester Police.”

Magistrates fined Hudson a total of £150.