Man who repeatedly dialled 999 to get a lift to Perth sent to jail

A man who dialled the emergency 999 number to ask for a lift to Perth was yesterday jailed at Perth Sheriff Court.

Lee Mullen, 23, of Greyfriars Hostel, Princes Street, Perth, appeared from custody where he admitted a host of other charges, including several thefts.

The court heard Mullen had phoned the 999 emergency number and got through to the Police Scotland force control room, only to tell staff he wanted a lift to Perth from Gilmerton.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said the accused was also found in the grounds of a house in Albany Terrace, Perth, when it was thought he was attempting to steal.

Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client’s “chaotic lifestyle” meant he would not be suitable for a community-based sentence.

Mullen admitted that on October 5 last year at Maxtone Terrace, Gilmerton, he repeatedly phoned the 999 system to Force Control Police Scotland and demanded transport to Perth and threatened to cause a disturbance if he did not get the lift.

He also admitted that on the same date and location he banged on a door.

Mullen pled guilty to separate charges that on October 2 last year, he was found in the grounds of a house in Albany Terrace, Perth, without lawful authority, and that on November 27 last year in the car park of the Rodney Pavilion, Dundee Road, Perth, he broke into a car and stole a satellite-navigation system and also broke into another car and stole an ophthalmoscope.

Sheriff Gillian Wade sentenced Mullen to 282 days in jail, backdated to December 8.