Bogus PC forced female motorist to stop on A500

A SECURITY guard has been banned from driving after posing as a police officer to reprimand a female motorist.

Adrian Vermaak flashed his lights at the driver before telling her he would 'let her off' after she pulled up on a supermarket car park.

And following his arrest officers found two blue lights inside the 27-year-old's car and a number of items related to the police at his home.

Now Vermaak, of Arbour Street, Talke, has been banned from the roads for six months and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.

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North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that Vermaak, who has been disqualified from driving before, was travelling home from Crewe on November 29 when he spotted a vehicle he claimed was 'driving eratically'.

Giles Roden, prosecuting, said: "The motorist was travelling on the A500 towards Stoke-on-Trent and was aware of a vehicle behind her which seemed to be flashing at her.

"Because the vehicle was flashing its lights she assumed it was a police officer."

The female motorist pulled up at Wolstanton's Asda supermarket where Vermaak approached her.

The court was told that Vermaak, who was wearing his security uniform, mentioned putting the woman's details through the system.

In a statement to police Vermaak said the woman thanked him for letting her off before he later revealed he was not a police officer.

Mr Roden added: "He told police he wanted her to slow down and confirmed he had blue lights in his car."

The court was told that Vermaak, who pleaded guilty to impersonating a police constable, was struggling to come to terms with the death of a friend who was killed in a car crash in February last year.

Simon Davies, defending, said: "As he drove on to the A500 he saw the vehicle being driven erratically and swerving towards the central reservation. At that point he intervened.

"His intention was to simply slow the car down but he got caught in the moment and accepts he later spoke to her and said he would 'let her off'.

"He disputes any pre-planning and was concerned for the safety of others.

"He has been living with his mother and has been suspended from work because of this.

"The defendant has apologised for any concern he may have caused the woman and did not want to cause distress. He did it to resolve her bad driving and it went too far."

Vermaak was also handed a 12-month community and supervision order yesterday. He was also ordered to pay £145 in fines.

Magistrate David Alcock said: "It is a very serious situation.

"To put this lady through the circumstances that you put her through in the dark, which would have been very frightening for her, and we take a very dim view of that."