Former Journalist Jailed for Impersonating Police Officer

Bradley Baker, 28, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for posing as a police officer on dating apps and using a fake warrant card to travel for free.

Baker, from Handsworth, Birmingham, had previously been convicted of sexual offences involving children in 2018 and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Despite this, he obtained a police uniform, including a warrant card, and lied to his ex-partner, family, and friends about working for British Transport Police (BTP).

His deception was uncovered when he was reported to North Wales Police for a separate offence. Investigations revealed that he had never worked for the BTP.

During a search of his home, officers seized a police uniform, two fake BTP warrant cards, multiple police lanyards, and two laptops which were later found to be unregistered, breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

One of the laptops was stolen from his previous job as a journalist, and officers also found cannabis in his possession.

Baker pleaded guilty to possession of police articles, two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, one count of theft by employee, and two counts of possession of Class B cannabis.

BTP Police Constable Jade Ledbrook stated: "Possessing fake items of police uniform and posing as a police officer is an extremely serious offence, and I'm glad that the severity of Baker's delusional actions is reflected in his sentence. Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are given to protect the public, and Baker's blatant disregard for this demonstrates his dangerous mindset. Had he not been stopped as a result of this extensive investigation, he could have continued to commit even further, and potentially more serious, crimes - therefore I'm pleased to see him behind bars."