Driver uses strippergram's 'police' hat to pose as officer in road rage row

A driver has embarrassingly admitted using a strippergram's police cap to pose as a traffic cop during a road rage row. Christopher Hughes, 60, was given the fancy dress police cap by the stripper after she performed at his 60th birthday party, but last February, he clashed with a driver when accused of cutting him up at a roundabout.

Chester Magistrates Court heard Hughes put on the police cap and confronted the other motorist, claiming, "I'm allowed to drive like this. I'm on the job." But he was reported to real police after passengers in the van began laughing at him, and when officers quizzed Hughes, he admitted impersonating a police officer.

Jobless Hughes, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, was fined £40 with £101 in costs and a surcharge

Prosecutor Charlie Hayward said: "On February 11, complainant Mr Dagnell was driving to work with two other colleagues.

"He approached a roundabout when the defendant accelerated on the roundabout in the incorrect lane crossing into Mr Dagnell's path.

"Further down the road, the defendant illuminated his hazard lights and came to a stop. The complainant also stopped and the defendant spoke with Mr Dagnell.

"He said he was on the job and was allowed to drive in this way when Mr Dagnell asked about his manner of driving.

"He was wearing a black police cap when in fact the defendant is not a police officer. In interview, he said he did not work and was in receipt of state benefits."

Hughes's lawyer Chris Hunt said: "He had turned 60 and apparently somebody booked a strippergram for him. Part of his treat was being left with the hat. It was not consistent with a real police officer's hat - it just says police on it."

Mr Hunt claimed the complainant ''gesticulated'' at Hughes and added: "This incident lasted a couple of seconds.

"I have seen a clip from the vehicle and it shows the men openly laughing at Mr Hughes, knowing he could not possibly be a police officer. They responded in choice language.

"Clearly there are cases where people present the persona of an officer with malign intent - but this was a momentary decision on his behalf. It is daft and he did not get anything from it.

"He has high blood pressure and took a turn when the real police spoke to him in a voluntary interview."