'Dreamer' jailed for time wasting

Crofts told friends he had drunkenly pushed a man into the river

A chef has been given a custodial sentence for wasting police time for falsely claiming he had killed a man.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates heard Timothy Crofts, 20, of Wilson Street, Derby, believed he fought the man and pushed him into the River Derwent.

A police search was launched and 359 hours of police time was wasted before Crofts revealed he had been "dreaming".

He was sentenced to five months in a young offenders institution, half in custody, half in the community.

Crofts told friends he had drunkenly shoved a homeless man called Martin into the River Derwent.

If people think they can do this and not go to prison then they are mistaken District Judge Caroline Goldbourn

Derbyshire Police alone used 359 police hours on New Year's Day at double time, costing the force £11,930.33.

But after a series of interviews with police Crofts admitted it had never happened.

Prosecuting, Helen Griffiths said: "It was during the final interview that Mr Crofts told police officers that everything he said had been a dream. However, this was not before a rather large-scale search had begun."

Sentencing Crofts - who pleaded guilty last month to wasting police time - District Judge Caroline Goldbourn said: "We have got three emergency services out at an astronomical expense. If people think they can do this and not go to prison then they are mistaken.

"I also take the view that this was attention-seeking on your part."

As Crofts was escorted from the dock he turned to the public gallery and said: "I'm sorry, Mum."