A MOTORIST used a blue flashing light in his car to try to make his way through Colchester’s traffic jams.

Elliott Semmence conned other drivers into moving out the way, who may have been fooled into believing he was driving a police car.

But his tactic unravelled after he was spotted on the A12 by an off duty police officer on August 6 this year.

Semmence, 29, of Maypole Green Road, Colchester, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He admitted one count of using a vehicle on a road fitted with a blue warning beacon.

Semmence was driving his Volvo V70 on the Ipswich-bound A12 Colchester bypass at about 2.20pm.

The off duty officer saw the flashing light being used and realised his car was not one used by police forces.

He reported the matter and the car to officers.

The following day the car was spotted again, this time by officers on duty.

The beacon was not being used on this occasion but following the report the previous day they tailed him home and stopped him for questioning.

The beacon was found in the passenger footwell.

Semmence admitted what he had done at court.

He claimed the beacon had been originally purchased to be used off road.

He was ordered to pay £300 in fines and costs.