A hoax 999 caller who repeatedly phoned the police and used abusive language was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for a year.

Nigel Brown rang the emergency service when he was drunk, persistently breaching an anti-social behaviour order, Bingley Magistrates were told on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old, of Balcony Terrace, Cross Roads, admitted five offences of illegally telephoning 999, two of drinking alcohol in the street against his ASBO and one offence of being drunk and disorderly in Ivegate, Bradford.

He rang 999 from Rawdon Road, Haworth, on Christmas Eve, from Ivegate on Boxing Day and on other occasions from Station Road, Haworth, Cavendish Street, in Keighley, and Main Street, Haworth.

Magistrates, who also imposed a 12 months probation order and £175 costs, also heard that Brown had a history of similar offences and was the subject of an anti-social behaviour order.

Julian White, for Brown, said his client had psychiatric problems and needed some form of supervised rehabilitation rather than custody.

“Nigel became well known to the police for his 999 calls but they were carried out under the influence of alcohol.

“He has since cut down on his consumption and is making huge progress,” he said.