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Top lawyer posed as police officer to get Nando's CCTV to 'spy on ex'

Conor Johnstone has boasted about being a "legal missile" and has represented a former Liverpool star

[Conor Johnstone]

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Conor Johnstone(Image: MAJ Law YouTube)

A top lawyer who boasted of being a "legal missile" posed as a police officer to obtain CCTV from a Nando's restaurant. Conor Johnstone, 34, posed as a Cheshire Constabulary police constable using a fake name and creating a fake police email account to pester staff at the chicken restaurant so he could see if his ex-partner was with another man, a court heard.

Johnstone posed as "PC Matt Gregory" - allegedly a family liaison officer with the force's domestic violence unit - phoning the Nando's in Stockton Health, Warrington, on July 22 last year. Leeds Magistrates' Court heard last month that Johnstone claimed there had been an incident between two customers the previous day and one of the parties involved had complained to the police.

"PC Gregory" said he required CCTV footage of the couple in question and, after speaking with a member of staff on the phone, sent an email from the address "matt.gregory@cheshirepolice.uk". The email bore the force's official crest and details including a collar number.

The court heard Johnstone sent further "pushy" emails after filling out a data protection form with the false police details. When emails started to bounce back, suspicious Nando's staff phoned Cheshire Constabulary's 101 number and discovered he did not exist.

Cheshire Constabulary officers requested information from internet provider Heart Internet and discovered the account which sent the emails belonged to Johnstone. A debit card in his name had also been used to buy the domain name for the fake email account.

On the site used to purchase the email domain, Johnstone had entered his date of birth, phone number and address, leading officers straight to him. Voluntarily attending for a police interview, Johnstone exercised his right to remain silent and refused to answer all questions put to him.

During a magistrates' court trial, Nicki Forster, prosecuting, suggested Johnstone wanted the CCTV to spy on his ex-partner of 12 years, who was pregnant with their third child at the time.

Johnstone denied this was the case and instead claimed his ex-partner was behind the emails and was the one trying to spy on him and his new partner. Asked about the use of the card, Johnstone claimed it was a company card and multiple people had access to it.

Magistrates rejected his claims and found him guilty of impersonating a police officer. Returning to the same court today, Monday, Johnstone was handed a 12-month community order.

Johnstone, of Broad Lane in Altrincham, was also ordered to pay 650 in court costs, a 114 surcharge and must complete 260 hours of supervised unpaid work.

Cheshire Constabulary Detective Darroch, from the force's protecting vulnerable people unit, said: "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.

"Under the guise of this persona, and armed with a false email that would have looked legitimate to the uninitiated, Johnstone took advantage of two employees who were simply looking to assist with what they thought was an official police investigation.

"Johnstone clearly counted his own chickens before they hatched, as his decision to play pretend police officer has ultimately resulted in causing permanent damage to his own reputation."

Johnstone heads up Widnes-based MAJ Law - a family firm set up by his dad. According to Companies House, he is also the director at Johnstone Acquisitions - a property developer based on Old Hall Street in Liverpool.

On an online profile, Johnstone said his nickname was "the legal missile" and described himself as "punchy, powerful and makes moves with zero hesitation". He added he was "built for high performance and fast decisions - just don't get in his way".

Johnstone's firm defends drink and drug drivers, with the defendant fronting multiple YouTube videos explaining the relevant procedures with headlines like "how to get off a fail to provide charge". The firm's website also details how they can help clients by "discussing potential loopholes" and "finding fault with police procedure".

Johnstone has previously represented the likes of ex-Liverpool striker Dean Saunders, who received a suspended sentence for failing to take a breath test, and Love Island winner Jack Fincham.

Speaking to the Daily Mail after his trial, Johnstone said he was "disappointed with the court's verdict" and was going to appeal the decision.

Cheshire Constabulary Detective Darroch added: "If you are contacted or approached by anyone you believe is pretending to be a police officer, I would strongly urge you to contact Cheshire Police. Genuine officers will always be happy to verify their identity. If you are unsure, you can ask to see a warrant card and, if necessary, call 101 to confirm an officers details."

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