By Nick Foley
Press Association
LIVERPOOL, UK — A man who admitted impersonating a firefighter during the height of this summer’s flood crisis appeared in court today.
Peter Jennings, 49, from Alvina Lane, Kirkdale, Liverpool, dressed in a fire service uniform and ordered pumps to be sent to a flooded pub in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
He was caught when a firefighter from Merseyside spotted him on television and alerted his colleagues in Gloucestershire that he was a fake.
Jennings pleaded guilty to three charges of obstructing or hindering an employee of the fire service during the flooding in July.
He appeared at Gloucester Magistrates’ Court today after denying one count of theft from the Fire Service Museum in Crosby, Merseyside.
A trial date was set for November 16 at Stroud Magistrates’ Court. Jennings, who wore a black leather jacket, white shirt and black trousers, was granted bail on condition he resided at his home address, and agreed not to go to the Fire Service Museum or enter any fire station in the Liverpool or Manchester area and not to come to Gloucestershire apart from for court appearances.
Susannah Reif, defending, had earlier asked for the case to be transferred to Liverpool, where the alleged theft took place.
But District Judge Bopa-Rhai told him the matter should be heard in the area where he committed the crime.
She said: “The hindrance was caused to the people living here, not Liverpudlians so I don’t think it should go back there. He travelled to our county. He can remain with us.’'
The court heard that he allegedly stole a number of items from the museum including a white fireman’s helmet, a tunic, two pairs of trousers and name badges. He however disputes who owned the items.