Man issued with banning order for making hundreds of abusive calls to emergency numbers

A Liverpool man has been issued with a banning order for misusing emergency 999 and 101 telephone numbers.

James Thomas, 35 years, from Dovecot pleaded guilty to misusing emergency telephone systems by calling 999 and 101 multiple times when there wasn’t an urgent situation to deal with.

At Sefton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 5 November, Thomas, of Gemini Drive, was issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order to not call the police on 999 or 101 numbers unless it is to report a new crime which is a genuine emergency.

Inspector Paul Shelley said: “We will not tolerate the misuse of emergency services and Thomas’s appalling behaviour was disgraceful.

“He made hundreds of calls with most of the offences carried out between April and May this year. He would swear and shout down the phone at call handlers, making threats. Nobody should be subjected to such abuse while doing their job and they are there to help people in an emergency.

“In addition, his persistent and abusive misuse of the 999 and 101 emergency telephone systems posed a significant risk to public safety as it diverted vital resources away from people calling in genuine emergencies.

“I hope this criminal behaviour order sends a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take decisive action to protect our officers and the public.”

A breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order is a serious offence, punishable by imprisonment or a fine.