Costly hoax caller sent to prison

A boozed-up Perth man cost the emergency services more than £8000 after he made two hoax calls, one in the early hours claiming he was trapped under a canoe in the RiverTay.

The second related to an alleged fire at a farm near Errol where Donald Robertson told the 999 operator“people and animals were in danger.”

All three emergency services were mobilised in response to the first incident, made at 3.40am, with the bill for the call-out totalling £2352.

And three fire engines responded to the second emergency, costing the taxpayer £6000.

The malicious phone calls were traced back to the 58-year-old’s mobile - and led to him being jailed for a total of nine months at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told him she didn’t consider there was any alternative to custody as she wasn’t satisfied he would comply with a Community Payback Order.

He admitted making the first call from his home in St Catherine’s Road on September 21 last year, stating he was“stuck”under a canoe below the Friarton Bridge.

The second false alarm, on October 2, 2017, sent firefighters racing to Daleally Farm, in the Carse of Gowrie, in response to a report of a blaze affecting members of the public and livestock.

Depute fiscal Alan Morrison told the court that the first call came from a mobile number shortly before 4am.

He said:“The police control room contacted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service and all three emergency services responded.

“On arrival, there was no-one in the water.”

Checks were made on the mobile number and this led officers to the accused’s flat.

“He was alone and heavily intoxicated at the time,”added the fiscal.

The second incident took place about 3pm less than a fortnight later.

The call, from the accused, reported a“serious”fire at the farm and that“farm equipment and animals were in danger.”

The fiscal said:“Scottish Fire and Rescue deployed three large fire engines to Errol but on arrival there was no fire.

“Police carried out checks and again it led them back to the accused.”

Solicitor Billy Somerville said: “He’s got an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and if he doesn’t cease or cut down, it could happen again.”

A background report suggested he wouldn’t comply with the terms of a Community Payback Order.

Imposing the jail term, Sheriff Wade told him:“These are very serious offences and you have incurred considerable cost to the Scottish Fire and Rescue and Scottish Ambulance services.”

Noting that Robertson wasn’t “willing”to change his lifestyle, she jailed him for four-and-a-half months on each charge.