River hoax call man gets payback order

False alarm sparked police and fire crew search

A Stirling man who sparked a frantic river search after making a hoax phone call to emergency services has walked free from court.

Damien Reynolds, 21, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court this week after pleading guilty to calling a Police Scotland call handler and sparking a false alarm.

Reynolds, of Adamson Place in Stirling, phoned the Police Scotland call handler and told them that his girlfriend was in the River Forth near the Cornton area and in need of help.

The police deployed 12 uniformed police officers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were also called to deal with the hoax.

Reynolds placed the call at around 7am on Friday May 26 this year. He dialled 999 and identified himself before making the false claim.

He then hung the phone up and when the emergency services attempted to call him back he refused to answer.

Air support and water rescue were then called. Police later attended Reynolds’ home address and found the witness safe and well and Reynolds was discovered hiding in a storage cupboard in the kitchen where he was arrested and taken to Falkirk Police Station.

In transit to the police station Reynolds began to bang his head off of the inside of the vehicle and shouted: “I’ll f ****** kill you both” at officers.

Defending, Frazer McCready said: ”The concern for my lady is no doubt the record of the accused.

“The accused had consumed a strong alcoholic drink and had also abused substances.

“His judgement was still cloudy when the offence was committed.

“He needs to be punished. He accepts that and I accept that.”

Sentencing, Sheriff Alison McKay accused Reynolds of attempting to minimise the charge, saying “You will have gathered that I’m unimpressed.”

Sheriff McKay slapped Reynolds with a community payback order that includes 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also placed under supervision for 12 months.