City news in 250 words

AN EX-SOLDIER, Tom Bardsley, has been called a ‘fantasist’ at Manchester Magistrates Court. He was convicted of impersonating a Ministry of Defence police officer so he could avoid a train fare. In May 2008 Bardsley was commended for the assistance he’d given a police officer who was being attacked by Glasgow Rangers fans following Manchester’s hosting of the UEFA Cup Final. He may face a custodial sentence.

A BOGUS UNITED SCOUT is causing concern. The man is posing as a Manchester United talent scout offering to take boys for trials. The club’s communications’ boss Phil Townsend has said: "We advise people involved with (those) who are claiming to be with Man United, they ask to see ID, or if they contact our academy they will be able to confirm the identity.”

THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH has released designs for landscaping around their Trafford Park home. These include contemplative areas, flowers, lawns and even fields of corn. There are no direct references to the conflict. Manchester Confidential’s editor Jonathan Schofield will be interviewing Jim Forrester about the designs tomorrow.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC FANS, this weekend, were asked to give a lift back home to Jan Budtz, an on-loan goalkeeper from Hartlepool United. With all their goalies out of action it was arranged that Budtz be met and taken from the north east club’s team coach on its way to London. After Oldham’s game with Northampton Town two fans offered to take the ‘keeper back home following an appeal on Oldham’s website.