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A man who pulled over a woman on an isolated Wiltshire country lane while impersonating a police officer has been given a suspended sentence.

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 it was only after he noticed the victim's young son in the back of the car he told her that he would "let it go".

Green was given a six-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete a 12-month community order involving rehabilitation work.

'The Brotherhood'

Green had been driving at 30mph (48km/h) in a 60mph (97km/h) zone in Wiltshire when she overtook him on 6 May 2023.

However, he then overtook and confronted her, the court was told.

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 in May 2024.

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

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

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

'Wholly unnerving incident'

He told magistrates that the lights were used for his private security work and that he "did not intend to cause any distress".

Sibylle Cheruvier, for the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court: "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."

She added that the impersonation of an officer was a "cause of concern for the community".

"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," she said.

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

Green indicated he intended to appeal against his conviction and it is due to be heard at Swindon Crown Court in September.

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