Rough sleeper falsely reported murders and kidnaps in 72 police calls in 13 days

Arough sleeper made 72 hoax calls reporting serious crimes to policeover the course of two weeks.

Richard Lawton, 37, reported crimes of murderand kidnap when he called 999, but officers arrived to find nothing happening. He was warned that he would be arrested if he continued without an emergency response being actually needed.

But he didn't stop. He appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre this week and was handed a 12-month community order.

Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail said Staffordshire Police received 72 calls from the defendant between September 1 and 13. Miss Swindail said: "He reported a number of things including murder, kidnap, armed robbery, and said people were being either attacked or followed.

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"Police attended on a number of occasions and on each occasion found nothing was occurring. It was deemed there was no emergency response required for him. He was given a number of warnings not to call the police unless it was an actual emergency or he would be arrested. However, he continued to call the police and was arrested on September 13. Two mobile phones were seized. One phone made 67 calls. Five calls were made from the other phone."

In his police interview Lawton said he called the police as he had concerns for his ex partner who he had not seen for more than a year, reports Stoke-on-Trent Live. He said he may have rung the police accidentally on occasions. He said he had concerns for a friend who he heard was either dead or in witness protection. He added the reason he called and made reference to kidnaps was because he was not being listened to by the police.

Lawton, of The Sneyd Arms Hotel, Tower Square, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to persistently making use of the public communication network to cause annoyance/inconvenience/anxiety.

Sarah Bedford, mitigating, said Lawton made admissions to the police and accepts he made the 999 calls. Miss Bedford said: "He was in a degree of crisis at the time. He does have a history of mental health difficulties, depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder. He was at the time living in a tent. His relationship with his long-term partner broke down and his two children and he has told me quite openly he struggles with alcohol dependence.

"He did not do this out of malice or spite to obstruct the police. The police helped him get accommodation. He bears no ill-will. He felt concern for his ex-partner who he had not heard from, having not been able to get hold of her. He made a number of reports to the police as he was concerned for her welfare. He got himself into a tis. He worked himself up, consumed alcohol and made a number of calls to 999 begging them to help. When that did not happen, unfortunately he became irate.

"He is seeking support and help for his drinking. I would ask you to consider that these offences were committed in a time of crisis and not with malice in relation to the police and emergency services."

As part of the community order Lawton must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.