999 hoaxer claimed his canoe had capsized

A hoaxer who sparked emergency responses costing nearly £10,000 after claiming he was trapped under a capsized canoe was jailed yesterday.

Donald Robertson prompted a callout by claiming he was in danger of drowning in the Tay and later sparked a second emergency by reporting a fake farm fire.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that the two hoax 999 calls cost the emergency services £8,352 pounds and had taken units away from real calls.

Fiscal depute Alan Morrison said: “At 3.40am on September 21 police got a 999 call from a mobile number belonging to the accused. He said he was trapped under a canoe under Friarton Bridge.

“Police contacted both the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service and units from all three emergency services were sent to the area.

“They found no one in the water. Checks on the mobile number were carried out which led to the accused’s flat in Perth.

“When police arrived he was alone and heavily intoxicated. That incident was estimated to cost £2,352.

“At 3pm on October 2 the SFRS got a 999 call. It was the accused reporting a very serious farm fire at Daleally Farm in Errol. He reported that farming equipment and animals were in danger.

“Three fire engines were sent to the farm. Upon arrival there was no fire. This incident cost around £6,000.”

The court was told that Robertson, 58, told social workers he had no intention of changing his lifestyle to cut down drinking and avoid repeating the incidents.

Robertson admitted two charges relating to making hoax calls and he was jailed for a total of nine months.

Sheriff Gillian Wade saw no alternative to custody.

Donald Robertson was jailed for a total of nine months