A bogus police officer tailed a motorist and reprimanded him for his driving in what a sheriff described as a “completely bizarre” incident.
Jamie Meager caused alarm when he followed another driver along several streets in Crieff.
When the driver stopped, Meager, 41, approached his vehicle and told him: “I’m following you because I am police.”
Meager, of Kincardine Road, Crieff, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and pled guilty to a charge of impersonating a police constable with intent to deceive on July 23 last year.
He was ordered to engage in alcohol counselling services.
‘Strange’
The court heard that at about 6.30pm, the motorist was driving to a remote area near Crieff with his nine-year-old son to pick up his partner from her workplace.
“He became aware of a white Volvo driving behind him,” said fiscal depute Katie Stewart.
“The witness turned into a yard to collect his partner.
“As she walked towards his car, he noticed the Volvo driven by the accused continued along the track a short distance behind them and appeared to turn around.”
As the motorist headed back towards Crieff town centre, they saw the Volvo parked in a passing place.
When they went past, Meager began following.
He continued to tail the vehicle down several streets.
By this point, the witnesses “found this strange and were slightly alarmed,” the prosecutor said.
The driver parked on King Street outside a shop and Meager stopped behind him.
He got out and walked over to the driver’s window.
“I’m following you because I am police,” he told the motorist.
“You didn’t indicate.”
Ms Stewart said: “The witness had doubts that the accused was a police officer, as he knew they (the police) would not pursue such actions.
“And also the accused appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
“However, he wished to avoid a confrontation and apologised.”
Meager replied: “Well, I’ll leave it there.”
He returned to his car and drove off.
The incident was later reported to police.
Alcohol support
Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said her client had underlying alcohol issues.
“He does not have a particularly significant record,” she said.
Meager also admitted a breach of bail conditions.
Sheriff Donald Ferguson told Meager: “Your conduct was just completely bizarre.
“It was totally inappropriate.”
He said it was important for him to get help from counselling services.
Meager was placed on supervision for 18 months and ordered to engage with an alcohol treatment requirement.
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