A WORCESTER man who made a hoax bomb call to police after he was sacked by his employers has been jailed for 21 months.

Bungling David Woolins phoned 999 on his own mobile and told an operator: "This is the IRA."

He warned that a bomb had been planted in the car park of Vamix UK in Lower Broadheath, near Worcester.

But police, who traced the malicious call, quickly identified the culprit and did not have to evacuate the premises.

Woolins, who admitted communicating false information with intent, carried out the offence a month after the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York.

Judge Michael Mott said the US atrocity had meant public sensitivities were at a heightened level and more likely to react with alarm.

He told 39-year-old Woolins, of Selsey Close, Warndon, that he had a grudge against the firm.

Andrew Tucker, prosecuting, said Woolins made the call on November 7, last year, after a drinking session. Police who rushed to the company spent a considerable time searching the area to ensure there was no bomb.

Woolins told officers on his arrest that he could not recall carrying out the hoax call.

When a tape recording of his own message was played to him, he remarked that the voice did not sound like his.

Mr Tucker said the defendant had been trying to imitate an Irish accent.

Woolins, who had two previous convictions for assault, had only worked at Vamix for a short time but had not proved competent and was sacked, said Anthony Warner, defending.

The same day he went drinking "and it was in that annoyed frame of mind" that he made the call.

Mr Warner said it was obvious from the start who was behind the hoax. Woolins, now training to become a lorry driver, was estranged from his family.

The court heard that the maxium penalty for the offence was seven years' jail. But Mr Warner said Woolins' crime fell at the lower end of the scale.