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Margate hoaxer tells 999 call handler ‘I have a bomb’

A hoaxer who told the police he had a bomb in a prank call from his home address has been jailed.

Carl Johnson, of Margate, was arrested just moments after making two disturbing 999 calls on Monday night, where he also made sexual threats to the handler.

Man claimed to have bomb to 999 call handler. Picture: Kent Police
Man claimed to have bomb to 999 call handler. Picture: Kent Police

The 39-year-old was jailed for 120 days on Wednesday after admitting his actions at Folkestone Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Johnson called 999 and claimed to have a homemade explosive device.

During a second call a short time later, he made sexual threats to a Kent Police call handler.

Officers from Thanet's Local Policing Team were sent to his home in Margate half an hour after the second call and he was arrested.

Johnson, of Surrey Road, was later charged with making a false bomb threat and sending a threatening communication which he admitted.

Det Supt Alice Ames said: “Hoaxes of this kind divert valuable resources from real, potentially life-threatening situations and abuse directed at our excellent call handlers is something we will not tolerate.

“I hope the swift response to these calls, the charges quickly brought, and jail term imposed two days later act as a deterrent to anyone who may think of wasting the time of the emergency services in this way.”

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