Cheshire Constabulary: Solicitor Impersonates Police Officer for Nando's CCTV

• Conor Johnstone, a solicitor specializing in drink driving offenses, was found guilty of impersonating a police officer.
• He contacted Nando's restaurant in Warrington, identifying himself as 'PC Matt Gregory' from Cheshire Police's domestic violence unit.
• Johnstone requested CCTV footage of an alleged incident involving two customers the previous day, providing a fake email address that bounced when staff tried to contact him.
• He was ordered to complete 260 hours of supervised unpaid work, pay £650 in court costs, and a £114 surcharge.

You do not have to be a solicitor to know that impersonating a police officer is a very serious offence, so Connor Johnstone will have been well aware that his actions were illegal.

A solicitor specializing in drink driving offenses has been handed a community order after being found guilty of impersonating a police officer. Conor Johnstone, a director of law firm MAJ Law, contacted a Nando's restaurant in Warrington in July 2025, identifying himself as 'PC Matt Gregory' from Cheshire Police's domestic violence unit. He requested CCTV footage of an alleged incident involving two customers the previous day, providing an email address that bounced when staff tried to contact him. The suspicious behavior prompted Nando's staff to contact the police directly, who confirmed that 'PC Gregory' did not exist.

Impersonating a police officer is a serious offense with severe consequences. In this case, Johnstone was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Magistrates Court and ordered to complete 260 hours of supervised unpaid work, pay £650 in court costs, and a £114 surcharge. The court also heard that police were able to trace the email back to Johnstone, who had entered his personal details when purchasing the domain. This highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of individuals claiming to be law enforcement officials.

This case serves as a warning to lawyers and professionals about the serious consequences of impersonating law enforcement officials. Johnstone's actions not only damaged his professional reputation but also put trust in institutions at risk. The incident highlights the need for vigilance and proper verification procedures when dealing with individuals claiming to be from law enforcement agencies. Lawyers should be aware that such behavior can result in disciplinary action, damage to their professional reputation, and erosion of public trust.

Lawyers should be aware of the serious consequences of impersonating law enforcement officials, which can result in disciplinary action and damage to their professional reputation.

Source: Original reporting via Legal Cheek