A bogus police officer has been jailed for stealing £7 from two 12-year-olds.

Kristian McShane, of Inworth Walk, Colchester, was sentenced to two months, with a further two weeks for cannabis possession.

Annette Redgrave, prosecuting, said McShane, 31, approached a group of boys in Priory Street, Colchester, and said he was a police officer.

He showed them some cannabis claiming he had confiscated it from others.

Asking them if they had any money, he said he would double any they gave him, she told the magistrates. One handed over £5, the other £2.

Seven weeks later, on April 30, he "caused a nuisance" by being verbally abusive to members of the congregation at a memorial service being held at Castle Methodist Church, Maidenburgh Street, Colchester.

Paul Roach, mitigating, said the age of the two boys was an aggravating feature of the March 13 thefts.

On his release from prison six days earlier, he had substituted alcohol for heroin. "He was heavily intoxicated and can hardly remember what happened.

"They were not terrorised. They said they met a very strange man and I think that is the best spin I can put on it."

Mr Roach said the April 30 offence, commited under the influence of alcohol, was "mean". "He is truly remorseful," he added.

McShane, a serving prisoner, admitted two thefts, impersonating a police officer, two charges of possessing cannabis resin and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

The bench ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and committed McShane to Chelmsford Crown Court for prison recall purposes.

Published Monday, May 19, 2003

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