A man who was jailed for burping at police call handlers was released from prison only to repeat his bizarre crime.

Rhys Pilott, 28, of Crown Mews, Peterborough, was jailed on November 14 after he repeatedly called 999 to burp at police call handlers down the phone.

Pilott used public phone boxes in Peterborough city centre and continuously burped before hanging up minutes later. The calls became so frequent they began to block the emergency lines and prevent other calls from being answered.

The phone box was located at Peterborough train station and officers were deployed. They found Pilott and gave him a chance to stop and go home. However, just five minutes later he called the demand hub a further six times and belched at the operators.

Pilott, of Crown Mews, Peterborough, was arrested and charged for public nuisance and in interview claimed he had not meant to disrupt emergency telephone services, but was “looking for attention” and was “very bored.”

Pilott was re-arrested at Peterborough Train Station for committing the same offence, after the force received a further 22 hoax calls, all of which contained Pilott belching down the phone.

Pilott admitted causing a public nuisance and was jailed for 24 weeks on November 14 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

He was later released, but on December 30 he made further contact with police and burped at emergency call handlers again.

Pilott again pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court yesterday (January 1).

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on January 22.

Superintendent James Sutherland said: “Hoax calls exhaust our resources, cost the public money and, more worryingly, put lives at risk.

“Individuals who feel the need to abuse the 999 service in this way should consider how they would feel if a loved one needed emergency help but couldn’t get through due to hoax callers.

“Hoax callers could face prosecution and a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a £5000 fine.

Show more

"There are some fantastic charities out there who help people who are feeling isolated and require emotional support. We'd encourage people to make use of those services rather than dialling 999 and potentially causing a delay for people who urgently need our help."