Ken Hansel appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday where he pleaded not guilty to impersonating a police officer. However, he was found guilty of obtaining money by false pretence.

Having sex

Allegations are that the complainant and her common-law husband were in a car, downtown Kingston, kissing when the accused came up to them and told them that he was a police officer and that they were acting illegal by having sex in a public place. The accused allegedly told the couple that he was going to charge them for having sex in a public place and demanded $5,000 to keep quiet.

ATM machine

The complainants allegedly went to an ATM where they withdrew the money and gave it to the accused. They later made a report about the matter and, during investigations, it was discovered that the accused was not a member of the police force.

He was subsequently arrested and charged. However, Hansel claimed that he was passing a building in downtown when he saw the complainants having sex. He claimed he told them having sex in a public place was illegal and that the accused persons walked away.

He said he did not tell them he was a police man, nor did he ask for the money. Instead, he claimed they offered him money to keep quiet and was surprised when they went to the ATM and withdrew the money and gave it to him.

He said when the police came to arrest him he told them it was a mistake. The accused, who is from a Victoria Avenue address, was found guilty of obtaining money by false pretence and was fined $10,000 or 30 days. The charge of impersonating a police officer was withdrawn.