Stripogram Stuart Kennedy (26), of Aberdeen, stopped motorists with a white strobe light on two separate occasions on June 28 last year, as he made his way between appointments in Peterhead, Aberdeen and Fraserburgh.

Peterhead Sheriff Court heard that Kennedy was wearing a police uniform and had police equipment in his red Peugeot as he drove to work that evening.

On the final day of his trial last Tuesday, June 23, Kennedy admitted fitting a white strobe light to his car but denied impersonating a police officer and stopping motorists James Buchan and Jamie Lawrie.
The court heard that Kennedy was on his way to a booking at Peterhead's Palace Hotel when the first incident involving Mr Buchan occurred on Meethill Road near Clerkhill school.

Later that night firefighter Jamie Lawrie called 999 after he was pulled over by a car with flashing lights as he was travelling north on the A90 Aberdeen to Peterhead road.

In court Mr Lawrie said he had called the police because he believed that someone was impersonating a police officer and could pose 'a danger to the public'.

Kennedy had been travelling from an appointment in Aberdeen to perform a strip act at the George and Dragon Inn in Fraserburgh at the time.
He was later stopped by police officers in Maconnochie Road in Fraserburgh and arrested.

Last Tuesday, the court heard that Kennedy had initially refused to explain why he was dressed in police attire in an interview with real officers.

Speaking in court, Kennedy admitted that he had fitted a flashing white strobe light, which he described as a 'safety lamp', to his car but said he had not realised that it was illegal at the time.

He claimed he had flashed Mr Buchan once or twice to make him aware there was another car behind him after seeing the other driver throw something from the window, but denied Mr Buchan's assertion that he had made a hand signal to indicate the other car to pull over.

He also admitted using the flashing light on the A90 that night but said that he had activated the safety lamp to increase his visibility on the road and stop other motorists from pulling out in front of him when he was in the overtaking lane.

Kennedy told Peterhead Sheriff Court that with hindsight "it wasn't the best idea" to use the lamp but, when questioned by procurator fiscal Sandy Hutchison, he denied that he had pulled over motorists because he got a kick out of it, stating: "I had absolutely nothing to gain from that. I just wanted to get to work."

When questioned about his attire, Kennedy said that he had obtained it from a legitimate entertainment supplier who had checked his credentials as a stripper.

Kennedy also claimed that he was the victim of a vendetta by Grampian Police, stating that he had been arrested nine times in relation to his work, with officers frequently turning up at jobs and following him home.

He referred to one of the officers who had arrested him when asked about a video of the flashing lights shown in court, which he claimed was inaccurate.

He said: "I think it was part of PC Marr's campaign. He was going to be the Grampian Police officer to catch me."

When asked by Mr Hutchison if he thought himself a good catch he replied: " No, not at all. I've never done anything wrong. I don't understand why I've warranted so much attention."

Kennedy was found guilty of one charge of fitting his car with a flashing light, two charges of impersonating a police officer on June 28, and one charge of being in possession of a police uniform and equipment "without satisfactory explanation".

Sheriff Marysia Lewis told him his offences were "very unusual" and deferred sentence until July 16 to allow for background reports to be prepared.

Speaking to the press, Kennedy branded the verdict "bizarre" and said that he will appeal the decision.

Commenting on the case Aberdeenshire North chief inspector Gerry Cronin dismissed Kennedy's claims that there was a Grampian Police vendetta against him.

Mr Cronin said: "This has never been about preventing an entertainer from performing. It's about public safety and our duty to protect the public from the very real dangers posed by fake police officers."

He added: "Someone in a car giving the impression that the vehicle is a police vehicle could cause a serious accident and loss of life.
"We have a clear duty to act where there is a danger to public safety, especially when someone puts themselves, or innocent members of the public, at risk.

"We also have a responsibility to investigate criminal actions, whether reported to us by members of the public or detected by us - the public are entitled to expect no less.

"It is important to remember Grampian Police acted on complaints from concerned and frightened members of the public."