POLICE have branded the behaviour of a man who called 999 and an emergency service number more than a hundred times without a genuine emergency as "appalling".

As previously reported between July 11 and September 21 and October 22 and 25, last year, Simon Beynon repeatedly called 999, despite being prohibited to do so by a previously issued criminal behaviour order put in place in May 2021.

He appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, August 31, and Judge Jane Miller QC sentenced him to 16 months in prison.

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Supt Anna Skelton, contact management senior delivery manager, said: “Beynon’s actions took valuable time away from our call takers, who should have been helping people experiencing genuine emergencies.

"Our staff carry out a high pressure job, often dealing with people in their darkest hour, so to treat them with such a lack of respect is appalling.

"In recent weeks, we have been dealing with extremely high call volumes from the public, so this is a timely reminder to only dial 999 in an emergency. I hope this sentence sends out a strong message that making prank calls to 999 is a serious offence that could result in imprisonment."

The 44-year-old was also charged with using a public electronic communications network “for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another”.

Beynon pleaded not guilty to the offences on March 1, but was proved guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on June 17. 

Prosecuting Shona Probert told the court that between July 11 and September 21, 2021 Beynon made a total of 101 calls to the European emergency service number and 999 when he was “not in an emergency situation".

She also told the court that between October 22 and 25, 2021 he called the emergency services a further 50 times.

She said: “No attempt was made to interact with the operators and the calls were tracked back to his mobile phone."

Bruno Haine, defending, added: “The defendant was taking drugs at the time which influenced his behaviour.

“In the past, he has also been homeless but is now working as a carpenter. He was working well up until six months ago. He requires an apprentice to drive him to work due to a current driver ban, and that apprentice has now left.

“Since all this happened he has now sorted his life out.”

The court heard how Beynon, of Pond Close, Overton, has already been convicted 20 times for 43 other offences.

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Judge Jane Miller QC also extended his current criminal behaviour order to last until May 2025 to "prevent further offending".

She added: “I have seen you have a significant criminal history in relation to incidents I would categorise as anti-social behaviour.

“I have heard you had problems and have previously suffered from homelessness and were taking illegal drugs at the time.

“Everyone knows that our emergency services can be stretched and someone like you blocking up the line will certainly not help the situation.”