Nuisance 999 caller from Sutton flouted ban on pestering emergency services

Stephen Deville made six 999 calls between 5.12am and 6.52pm on September 8, in breach of a criminal behaviour order that was imposed in May last year, said prosecutor Catherine Wilson.

She said Deville, aged 68, only mumbled during the first call but complained of feeling unwell when he rang again 12 hours later and admitted he had been drinking whisky.

He told the call handler he was going to harm himself, but when officers attended and asked if he had any marks on him, he replied, "Not yet."

They noted he was intoxicated, seized his phone, and took him into custody.

He was later taken to King's Mill Hospital but discharged himself, said Ms Wilson.

The order banned him from contacting 999, unless in the event of a genuine emergency, for three years, after he admitted making 26 calls to the ambulance service and 18 to the police over a 33-hour period, in March 2024.

Deville, who represented himself, claimed he had genuinely been ill when he was arrested. He agreed he had made the calls when he spoke to the probation service.

Deville, of Willowbridge Lane, Sutton, admitted breaching the criminal behaviour orders when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on October 10.

On Tuesday he decided he wanted to change his guilty pleas, but magistrates refused the application.

He received a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring abstinence order.

He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.