Stripper arrested

A male stripogram has been charged with impersonating a policeman after real officers mistook him for one of their own. Stuart Kennedy, 24, was waiting outside a bar in Aberdeen, dressed in his fake police uniform, when he was spotted by two female plain-clothes officers who asked if he needed any help.

When the genetics student told them he was a stripper he said the officers watched him perform his act at the city's Paramount venue before taking him in for questioning.

His outfit and props were confiscated and he was later charged with impersonating an officer and carrying an offensive weapon. He has yet to find out whether the procurator fiscal will go ahead with a prosecution.

Mr Kennedy said: "I immediately told the officers I was a stripper but they didn't seem to believe me." He added: "They watched the show then they asked me back to the station. Now I have to wait to find out if this is going any further. I just don't think this is in the public interest at all. The legislation isn't designed with this in mind. It's not supposed to stop entertainers - it's a good thing they don't film The Bill up in Aberdeen or there would be trouble."

Mr Kennedy works for Alpha Male Strippers and Kissogram Services where he is known as Eros.

The professional dancer took the job to help pay for his studies at Aberdeen University. He can perform up to four shows in one weekend, but now faces problems with his bookings without his police outfit. He said: "The police have got my number one police uniform and I'm struggling to replace it. "It's been a bit of a nightmare."

Grampian Police confirmed that a 24-year-old man was charged in connection with wearing a police uniform and equipment in a public place on March 17.

A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal. A spokesman said: "As this is now a live inquiry we cannot make any further comment on this incident."