Derry man who persistently made hoax calls to emergency services jailed

A Derry man who persistently made hoax calls to the emergency services has been told that someone could die due to his behaviour.

Stephen Brian Kennedy (29) of Leafair Park in Derry had been convicted of a series of improper use of the communication network by making a series of hoax calls to the ambulance service.

The charges related to dates on November 7 and December 19, 2021.

Sentencing had been deferred for a year to see if Kennedy could stay out of trouble. 

However, the court heard that on February 18 this year Kennedy had once again offended by making a hoax call. 

Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes told Kennedy that his actions may have been a means of attracting attention but they could have had serious consequences. 

He told the defendant that there was only a limited number of ambulances and while they were tied up responding to Kennedy someone else in need of an ambulance could die. 

The judge told Kennedy 'you are putting innocent people at very significant risk.'

Kennedy was jailed for six months.