Nuisance 999 caller is jailed for 16 weeks after bombarding emergency services 37 times in two months including to complain he had lost his scissors
- John Williamson, 52, from Fenton, rang Staffordshire police in February and April
- Williamson has been jailed for 16 weeks at North Staffordshire Justice Centre
- He called up saying that he was depressed, suicidal and alcohol dependent
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
John Williamson, 52, (pictured) from Fenton, rang the emergency number on at least 37 occasions – with some calls lasting longer than 20 minutes
A nuisance 999 caller has been jailed for 16 weeks after bombarding the emergency services with calls.
John Williamson, 52, from Fenton, rang the emergency number on at least 37 occasions – with some calls lasting longer than 20 minutes.
But his calls – including some during the current Government coronavirus lockdown – potentially prevented Staffordshire Police from dealing with genuine emergencies.
Now Williamson has been jailed for 16 weeks at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
The calls were made between February 25 and April 20.
Prosecutor Stuart Quinn said: ‘He rang 101 at 2.30pm on February 25 and said he was suicidal and depressed due to a friend dying. He said he had a Stanley knife on the sofa to cut his wrists.
‘He became angry and said he could not find his scissors. The line terminated. The call lasted 19 minutes and 31 seconds.
‘The defendant called 999 at 3.23pm the next day. He said he was suicidal and wanted to kill himself.’
The court heard he then made a series of further 999 calls in March.
Mr Quinn added: ‘He made in excess of 37 calls. Some lasted 20 minutes. He said he suffered from anxiety and depression and was alcohol dependent.
‘He said he realised he should not contact the police but he continued with the same misconduct.’
But his calls – including some during the current Government coronavirus lockdown – potentially prevented Staffordshire Police from dealing with genuine emergencies (file image)
The calls continued into April and he made three on April 20 before being arrested later that day.
Williamson, of Masterson Street, Fenton, pleaded guilty to persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety to another between February 25 and April 20.
Garath Davies, mitigating, said: ‘In the last 15 or 16 months something has happened and he seeks solace in the bottom of a bottle and becomes a nuisance.’
District Judge Timothy Boswell said the calls were a waste of valuable police resources.
He said: ‘You have a problem with alcohol. You are also suffering from mental health and physical health problems. But calling the police on 999 is not the way to deal with things.
‘By taking up police time – some calls were for 19 or 20 minutes – you are taking their resources away from genuine cases and potential emergencies. That is why it is so serious.
‘I hope you are able to stop yourself from calling 999 unnecessarily.’
Williamson must also pay a £122 surcharge.