A MAN who dressed up as a fake policeman and pulled over cars in Loughton with a pal when he was a teenager has apologised for his “shameful” behaviour and pledged to set up a charity to warn young people of the dangers of crime.

Liakat Ali, now 21, of Plaistow was sent to prison along with Ilford friend Syed Mohiwan, 20, after the pair pleaded guilty to a string of offences including fraud, handling stolen goods and dishonestly making false representations in April 2009.

During a four-week period in the spring of 2008 the duo dressed up as officers and patrolled streets across Essex and east London in a modified Vauxhall Vectra, pulling over motorists late at night and issuing them with fake fines.

Mr Ali, speaking to the Guardian following his release from Rochester prison, said: “I just wish I could speak to all those people and apologise to them. I want to do anything I can to make it up to them and give something back.

“I just hope people will give me a second chance.”

Mr Ali said his behaviour stemmed from a lifelong ambition to get a job as a policeman.

He said: “I was on the internet looking for stuff about the police I saw you could buy some of their equipment. I thought it was cool so I bought some and it just went from there.

“I felt like I had my chance to fulfil my ambition and I didn't think of the consequences. It started out as a small prank. We decided to try it on some of our friends and it worked, but then it just got out of control.

“I know was doing something wrong, but I wanted to be a policeman so much. I wanted to drive a car with the flashing lights and have the satisfaction of helping other people.

“I knew I had doing something wrong but I was so scared. I had so much in my life, I was doing really well at university, I'd been getting firsts in all my exams, I had a well paid part-time job working for Parcel Force and I was going to get married.”

Mr Ali added that he is now hopeful of finding employment so he can pay to set up a charity and tour the region speaking to school children about his experiences.