A BOGUS policeman who conned thousands of pounds from three women was allowed to keep his freedom yesterday.

Philip Hiskett claimed he was a sharp-shooting sergeant in the armed response unit on the Durham Force who lived with a giant boa constrictor which roamed free in his home.

He chatted up his victims in pubs, told them he was a former Army captain, and drove three cars, including a £35,000 Lexus.

Jobless Hiskett, 30, told one woman that he had shot a man holding his family hostage in Darlington. She lent him £200 to see a psychiatrist in London to recover. Her also said that he needed £280 for a driving retest after he was booked for speeding.

Midwife Anne Gorman, 41, allowed him to move in with her and she dropped him off for "work" at Aycliffe police station.

He also claimed he was being pursued by gangsters for £20,000 gambling debts, said Khadim Al Hassan, prosecuting.

Hiskett finally said he was suspended without pay after punching someone in Newcastle.

After conning her out of £4,500 he told her that she could help herself to his money in his bungalow in Shildon, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

But she was scared off by his tales of the boa and his two dogs, a non-existent rotweiller and a bull mastiff.

Hiskett then charmed Kelly Anne Scott, 26, and when she was at work he stole £1,000, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He also tricked Scottish civil servant Pauline Wheater, 32, out of £1,600 over a seven-month period.

Aisha Wadoodi, defending, said Hiskett was ashamed of his behaviour with the women. She added: "He does not have a high esteem of himself and it was quite clear that his lies to them were going to be found out."

Judge Les Spittle told Hiskett that he was putting him on probation.

Hiskett, who pleaded guilty to three theft charges, was sentenced to two years community rehabilitation with a Think First programme and medical counselling.

Kelly Anne Scott, who was in court, said later: "I am going to sue him for the money, he made my life hell."