A man unleashed a stream of abuse at a police call handler after phoning 999 to report his former partner. Nathan Smith, from Cwmbran, claimed his ex was about to commit a crime but when asked to provide more detail he became aggressive, Newport Magistrates’ Court heard.
The 38-year-old was arrested following six abusive calls to Gwent Police on June 22 last year. Smith’s solicitor Ross Williams said: “In his mind there was a legitimate reason for the first call because he’d had an argument with [his ex] who he believed was going to drive and he was concerned she had drunk too much. But he accepts he became erratic in his behaviour and that there was no justification for becoming abusive.”
Prosecutor Mike Williams told the court: “After making the 999 call he was asked by the call handler to provide further detail. We say this defendant was verbally abusive and aggressive to the call handler. He called six times, both to 999 and the 101 incident number, and continued to be verbally abusive and aggressive. At one stage he stated a police officer should attend his address and that on attendance he would ‘bite their noses off and would f***ing have them’.
“Expletives were directed to the call handler and the emergency services department. Gwent Police terminated the call due to his foul and abusive language towards those who were protecting members of the public and doing their professional duty.”
Smith, of Sirhowy Court in Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to menacing communications and wasting police time. The court also heard that last month he was sentenced to a community order for an incident in May when he racially abused a police officer and failed to provide a breath specimen for analysis after being suspected of having been in charge of a vehicle. His solicitor said: “It was clear to those dealing with him that this defendant had mental health issues and was going through an episode where he was behaving very erratically.”
In the previous case Smith was sentenced to 10 rehabilitation activity days, eight to 12 mental health treatment sessions, 80 hours of unpaid work, a six-month driving ban, and penalties totalling £499. “He is very keen to change things and to benefit from this community order,” his solicitor added. “It is a new year and he has turned over a new leaf. He doesn’t want to drink and he will stop his cannabis use so that in six months’ time he can get his driving licence back.” The court heard Smith must provide samples showing he is clean from alcohol and cannabis before the DVLA allows him to drive again.
The magistrates granted Mr Williams’ request that his client be allowed to continue with the existing community order. Presiding Justice Shan Hodges said: “Hopefully that will help you focus and make sure you don’t reoffend.” She also imposed a fine of £80, prosecution costs of £85, and a £32 victim services surcharge.
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