A COVENTRY man who conned his way into a woman’s home by pretending to be a police officer and stole from her has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Karl Hope, from Adelaide Street, saw the woman in a distressed state in her car outside her house on December 23.
He told her he was a police officer concerned for her welfare. The 31-year-old flashed an ID card that was enough to convince the woman he was genuine.
Hope escorted her into her house and made sure she was okay before leaving. But the conman returned the next evening, again on the pretence of being concerned for her welfare and when he had gone, the woman discovered her handbag was missing.
She immediately cancelled her bank cards but found a transaction she had not made at a local store.
Detectives obtained and reviewed the CCTV from the shop and then, just five days later, he was spotted on footage in the city centre and he was arrested and charged with burglary and fraud.
At Warwick Crown Court – after admitting the theft and being found guilty of impersonating a police officer – Hope was handed the jail term.
West Midlands Police said impersonating an officer was a very serious offence and the force wanted to make sure people felt safe in vulnerable situations.
Officers are always happy to verify who they are if asked and if anyone feels in immediate danger they can call 999 or seek out another member of the public or by flagging down a car.
