Police officers fooled by bogus colleague
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.OFFICERS at some of London's busiest police divisions were fooled by a former Marine who for months posed as a colleague and once even led a police-Customs 'joint operation'.
David Wheatley, 28, was living in a fantasy world after his dream of becoming a policeman was shattered when he was rejected by the Metropolitan Police at 18.
Wheatley formerly served as a Special Constable, and was married to a serving woman officer.
Marylebone magistrates' court, was told that Wheatley, a former security-officer, had led a team of bona-fide officers on a police and Customs 'joint operation'.
Wheatley, whose address was given as Juniper Heights, an RAF base in Uxbridge, west London, had admitted impersonating police at Notting Hill police station between 1 and 30 September last year and at Shepherd's Bush police station between 1 and 31 July this year. He also admitted a similar charge at Notting Hill on 6 August this year, and dishonestly obtaining a pounds 300 telephone pager.
Tim Thompson, for the prosecution, said it was not clear how Wheatley had been found out.
'It became clear that various officers in the Metropolitan Police had had dealings with him. He had gone into non-public areas and socialised with officers, and was believed to be a police officer,' Mr Thompson said. A warrant card, handcuffs and police stationery were found at his home.
Michael George, for the defence, said: 'The benefit for him was that of the friendship of police officers. He was welcomed as a friend and a colleague. He wasn't a nuisance.'
He was conditionally discharged for a year and ordered to pay pounds 30 costs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments