An Arbroath woman has admitted impersonating a police officer before asking teenagers to empty their pockets.
Lisa Annett (38), of Abbotsford Road, admitted that on March 26 at Baden Powell Road, Arbroath, she took designation of a police constable for the purpose of making four boys believe they were to be searched, and coercing them to empty their pockets.
Arbroath Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday that the youngsters, aged 15 or 16, had been playing football at Arbroath High School and were making their way back towards their homes in the Kirkton area, when the incident took place at around 9pm.
A car drove at speed towards them before pulling up beside them. A man driving the car addressed the group. Annett got out of the car and told the youngsters she was a police officer and that they must empty their pockets.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “At no point did the accused take or handle any of the witnesses’ property.”
When interviewed by police, Annett replied: “I know it was stupid.”
Sheriff Derek Pyle said: “What happens if it is a genuine police car next time? The children won’t know whether to believe them or not.
“If it wasn’t for your very serious health problems you would be going to jail for this.”
Sentence was deferred for six months for good behaviour.