HOAX CALLER IMPRISONED
A hoax caller who risked the lives of members of the public and rescuers by making a malicious call to Holyhead Coastguard on August 1st 2007 was today sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. Patrick Lane pleaded guilty to the charge of causing a public nuisance and was sentenced today at Caernarfon Crown Court.
At 19:20 on the 1st August a call was received by Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) from a man reporting that both he and his friend had been swimming off the Rhyl coast and his friend had not returned. Holyhead Coastguard tasked an RAF Rescue Helicopter, two lifeboats from Rhyl and Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team who searched for four hours before standing down the search.
Jim Paton, District Operations Manager said:
Hoax calls risk peoples lives by tying up search and rescue resources which may be needed in other genuine lifesaving incidents. Members of rescue organisations involved are often volunteers who are called away from their homes and families to risk their lives for others in potentially hazardous situations and horrendous conditions. To put them at needless risk with bogus, malicious calls is abhorrent.
We will always pursue prosecution against hoax callers and are grateful to North Wales Police for their assistance in this matter.
Source: MCA Pressroom – www.mcga.gov.uk