A HOAX caller who told a 999 operator there was a bomb in Nelson is today waking up behind bars.

Scott Michael Luke Robinson told the emergency call handler there was a ‘gas bomb’ at 81 Charles Street, on October 6 last year, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Just after 5am, the court was told police arrived at the empty house and found a hooded man in the garden. After failing to identify himself, the man was arrested.

The 29-year-old, of no fixed address was also arrested for criminal damage and the possession of two bags of cannabis after breaking a porch window at his grandmother’s house in Windermere Road, Padiham, on October 15.

Prosecutor, Judith McCullough, said Robinson had wasted vital police resources by making the hoax call.

She said: “Police officers did have to attend the incident despite there being no bomb at the house.

“The hooded defendant had failed to identify himself but gave several first names.

“He also gave police officers verbal abuse as they spoke to him.

“In a witness statement, his grandmother, Agnus, said she was very worried about him and was scared for his welfare.”

Defending, Isobel Thomas, said the defendant had admitted to the hoax call and the criminal damage once he was in a state to do so, as he had a history of mental health problems.

She said: “The defendant is a paranoid schizophrenic and has spent time in mental health institutions.”

Robinson was given a 12-month custodial sentence for communicating false information about a bomb, but no further penalty was imposed for the possession of a class B drug and the criminal damage.

Recorder Simon Hilton also placed on him a restraining order to not contact his grandmother or go within 100 metres of her house.

Mr Hilton said: “This was a hoax, nonetheless it is still a serious office, particularly in the current climate. we are living in today. I find a custodial sentence appropriate taking into account of pleading guilty.”