A lawyer who specializes in defending individuals charged with driving offenses has been found guilty of impersonating a police officer. Conor Johnstone, 34, used a fake name and a fabricated police email address to request surveillance footage from a Nando's restaurant. The prosecution stated Johnstone intended to use the footage to observe his ex-partner dining with a new man.
Johnstone initially contacted the Nando's in Stockton Heath, near Warrington, on July 22 of the previous year. Posing as "PC Matt Gregory" of Cheshire Constabulary, he informed a restaurant employee that an incident had occurred the previous day and that one of the parties involved had filed a complaint with the police, requiring CCTV footage of a specific couple. A Nando's worker testified that Johnstone sounded professional and credible.
Following the phone call, an email arrived from an account appearing to be associated with Cheshire Constabulary, bearing the force's crest and details for "PC Gregory." The email requested CCTV footage of a man and a woman described in the message. Johnstone, identified as the owner and director of MAJ Law, then submitted a Data Protection Act form using the false police officer details. He sent further emails, described as "pushy," when staff initially requested the form.
Suspicion arose when emails sent to "PC Gregory's" account began to bounce back. Nando's staff contacted Cheshire Police via the non-emergency number and discovered that no officer named PC Gregory existed within the force. An investigation by Cheshire Police traced the fake email account and the domain name purchase to Johnstone.
During the trial at Leeds Magistrates Court, prosecutor Nicki Forster suggested Johnstone's motive was to spy on his ex-partner, India Boydell, who was pregnant with their third child at the time of the incident. Johnstone denied this, claiming his current partner was the woman in question and that Miss Boydell might have created the fake emails to disrupt his new relationship. He also claimed he had no involvement with the emails, stating he was in New York shortly after the initial contact and had no reason to request the footage.
Despite his defense, the magistrates found Johnstone guilty of impersonating a police officer. He has stated his intention to appeal the verdict. Johnstone, who has been described online as "built for high performance and fast decisions," is known for his work defending clients in drink and drug driving cases and for providing advice on avoiding driving convictions through his firm's website, which has been criticized by road safety charity Brake for its approach to finding legal loopholes. Sentencing for Johnstone is scheduled for next month.