4:30am Monday 6th July 2009
A MAN makes nuisance 999 calls as a cry for help, a court has heard.
Spencer Craig was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after phoning 999 and telling the operator he was “off his rocker” and needed help.
The 28-year-old, who has depression and long-term anxiety, has a history of making nuisance calls and has, in the past, told operators he was about to commit suicide.
On this occasion officers were dispatched to Craig’s address in Chamberlain Court, Droitwich, to check he was all right. They searched the surrounding area, but an intoxicated Craig was uncooperative.
Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, told the court, “At Dodderhill Church officers could see the defendant running away and through the churchyard. He swore at the officer when she asked why he had called 999.”
Sam Lamsdale, defending, said Craig regularly called police and asked for help.
She said: “He has called saying he’s going to commit suicide, that he’s taken an overdose, he’s on a railway and has also been found on a motorway.
“The calls are cries for help and, unfortunately, up until now there has been little intervention.”
She went on to say that Craig accepted that he was drunk in public and his action’s were disorderly.
Magistrates fined him £65 and ordered him to pay £60 court costs plus a £15 victim surcharge.
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