Fraudster’s spelling slip-up

FRAUDSTER Scott Stewart had his cover blown when an observant bank worker noticed that the fake police warrant card he produced had spelled the word constable incorrectly.

Police were called to Barclays Bank in Wisbech, and Stewart still claimed to be Hamish McCull of the Thames Valley police.

"He was arrested, and inquiries showed that Thames Valley did not have an officer of that name," prosecutor Laura Mardell told Fenland magistrates on Tuesday.

Stewart's real identity was discovered, and he chose not to answer questions when interviewed by local police officers.

At the time, Stewart had no convictions, but has since been sentenced for making a false representation, and indecent exposure, she added.

Stewart, formerly of Back Road, Elm, gave the court an address in Oxford this week, when he admitted possessing a fake warrant card on January 26 2007, in connection with fraud.

The card came to light when Stewart produced it as identification, when making inquiries about opening a bank account, explained Miss Mardell.

The assistant manager at the bank was suspicious that the card was not good quality, and noticed the spelling mistake.

Solicitor John Clarke said Stewart was currently subject to a community order, being run by the probation service in the Oxford area.

Adjourning the case until February 26, presiding magistrate Jane Melloy told Stewart: "We have not ruled out a custodial sentence or sending you to the Crown Court for sentence."

n Stewart had previously faced further charges of attempting to open a bank account in a false name, fraudulently making a loan application, possessing a driving licence that related to someone else, possessing a computer adapted for the making of false identity documents, and making a false insurance document, but these have been dismissed.