Grampian Police have hit back after accusations of wasting taxpayers’ money over the case of a student stripper repeatedly arrested for impersonating a police officer – a saga that is estimated to have cost more than £100,000.
Stuart Kennedy started stripping off his fake police uniform to earn money while studying at Aberdeen University – but as Sergeant Eros he fell foul of the law on many occasions during the last two years.
The latest case against him, for an alleged breach of the peace in Aberdeen on November 25, 2007, collapsed on Friday after prosecutors reviewed the evidence.
Alan Donnelly, a member of Grampian Police Board, has written to Chief Constable Colin McKerracher asking for an explanation for police “wasting public resources running around after a student”.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin Menzies said yesterday: “I am extremely disappointed that the force and our officers have come in for such criticism when I believe they have acted proportionately and within the interests of the community we serve at heart throughout.
“Grampian Police has a duty to investigate all incidences when reports of alleged criminal behaviour are received.
“That is what the public expect and deserve.
“We then report the results of our inquiries to the procurator fiscal to consider if any subsequent proceedings will take place.”
Mr Donnelly, councillor for Torry and Ferryhill, said he “took umbrage” at the amount of money and man-hours that had so far been spent dealing with Mr Kennedy.
“As far as I can see, they are hounding the guy when they should be combating crime on the streets of Aberdeen,” said Mr Donnelly.
“I don’t think it is in the public interest to be chasing around after students making a few bob on the weekends. It is a complete waste of money.”
He said the costs so far, on police resources, prosecution, court and legal aid, ran into “the tens of thousands of pounds”.
Mr Kennedy was first arrested in March 2007 after officers saw him outside a club where he had performed. He was charged with impersonating a police officer and three counts of possessing an offensive weapon.
He has since been arrested six times and appeared in court on 22 occasions. He has not been convicted of any offence.