Accrington man made prank 999 calls (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington man made prank 999 calls

10:24am Monday 6th August 2012 in News

A 22-year-old man who made hoax calls to the emergency services told police he thought it was funny to watch them ‘racing round wasting time’.

But Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Gordon Smalley’s actions could have put lives at risk as vital resources were sent on wild goose chases.

“His behaviour is potentially life-threatening because it diverts emergency services from genuine emergencies and people in need,” said Miss Allan.

Smalley, 22, of William Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Miss Allan said Smalley had been given a police caution for the same offence in March.

“That appears to have had no effect,” she added. “He has called both the police and the ambulance service to report incidents requiring urgent response.”

She said police had attended Church Street following a report of a fight.

He called the police again and then rang the ambulance service saying there were two unconscious men.

“The prosecution will be seeking an anti-social behaviour order on conviction when this offence is sentenced,” said Miss Allan.

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client couldn’t believe he had got himself in such a position having had a warning earlier this year.

“He said in interview that he got some enjoyment out of the result of his calls,” explained Mr Huggan.

“Clearly drink has played a part in this offence and it may be appropriate to give him the opportunity to work with the probation service.”