Police stripogram goes on trial

Mr Kennedy denied the allegations at Aberdeen Sheriff Court

A student has gone on trial accused of carrying offensive weapons while dressed as a police stripogram.

Stuart Kennedy, 24, was charged after performing at a bar in Aberdeen.

Mr Kennedy, a genetics student, denied three charges of having an offensive weapon in a public place when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

It has been alleged that he had two batons and a spray with him on 17 March this year in Aberdeen's Bon Accord Street. The trial continues.

Grampian Pc Fiona Duncan told the court she and a colleague had been carrying out an inquiry near the city's Paramount bar on the night in question.

We went into the bar to make sure we could keep an eye on him Pc Fiona Duncan Grampian Police

As they left the address, Pc Duncan said she saw what appeared to be another police officer looking through a window into the bar.

Assuming he was a fellow officer, she greeted him as she walked past.

When asked what the man's response was, Pc Duncan said: "He said 'I am not a real policeman, I am a stripper'."

The police officer, who later identified the man she had seen as Mr Kennedy, said his admission "surprised" her.

Pc Duncan said Mr Kennedy's uniform included combat-style trousers, black footwear and a white shirt.

Mr Kennedy also had a utility belt which contained a CS spray holder and canister and two different kinds of baton.

"I instantly was thinking there was an issue with him wearing this uniform," she said. "He had batons which I considered to be offensive weapons."

'Potential offences'

She added: "I had never come across a situation like this in my six years of service."

Mr Kennedy told Pc Duncan he had an appointment at the Paramount bar where he was to perform his stripper routine.

Pc Duncan added: "We went into the bar to make sure we could keep an eye on him."

Later that night, Pc Duncan took Mr Kennedy to Grampian Police headquarters for questioning.

She said: "I felt that there were potential offences being committed in relation to impersonating a police officer and carrying offensive weapons."

Proceedings were adjourned on Friday afternoon and were expected to resume on Tuesday.