Hoax caller jailed for four years

Mason admitted causing a public nuisance

A man who made more than a dozen hoax calls to the emergency services has been jailed for four years.

David John Mason, 57, of Yates Street, Tonge Moor, Bolton, pretended he needed to get help for ill or injured elderly people and children.

Police even broke into the house of a person who Mason claimed was suffering a heart attack, only to find the homeowner knew nothing about the call.

He admitted causing a public nuisance and was jailed at Bolton Crown Court.

All the hoaxes were said to have taken place near his home.

The court was told Mason had a string of previous convictions for similar offences over the last 40 years, including a bomb hoax and impersonating a police officer.

'No laughing matter'

Greater Manchester Police said Mason was a "menace" to the community.

Con Ian Deary said: "Mason has been a menace to both the emergency services and the local community, whose lives he put at risk.

"This was not a child, but a 57-year-old man who made dozens of hoax calls, many of which related to serious allegations which officers were duty bound to respond to accordingly.

He added: "He thought nothing of the consequences of his behaviour and the fact that if officers were tied up dealing with his hoax calls and not a real incident that someone could have died.

"I hope this serves as a warning to anyone who thinks making prank calls to the emergency services is funny. It is no laughing matter."