Man jailed for hoax rescue attack

A man has been jailed for six months for assaulting a helicopter winchman after calling out the Coastguard on a false alarm.

Aaron Moore, from Lewis, made a call claiming there was someone in the water near the lighthouse at Portnaguran.

When the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter arrived, Moore jumped into the water and was winched on board, where he then assaulted a crew member.

The 27-year-old pled guilty to the attack, which took place in July.

It is understood Moore had walked out of his family home before making the call.

"This sentence reflects the seriousness in which our work is viewed by both the courts and members of the public"
Ian Burgess
Maritime and Coastguard Agency

When rescuers arrived he began waving at the helicopter before jumping into the water.

After being winched into the aircraft he became aggressive and abusive and at one point the crew had to physically sit on Moore to restrain him.

It was during the journey that winchman Tony Oliver was assaulted. Northern Constabulary were alerted to meet the helicopter on its arrival at Stornoway.

At Stornoway Sheriff Court, Moore pled guilty to Contravention of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act.

Ian Burgess, Scottish coastal safety manager for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "This sentence reflects the seriousness in which our work is viewed by both the courts and members of the public.

"It is imperative that the men and women of HM Coastguard and its contractors are protected from assault in the protection and saving of life."

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