Northern Territory Police have charged a 39-year-old man with multiple offences following a number of hoax phone calls to emergency services throughout January.
Police allege the 39-year-old called 000 and requested emergency services to the residence of a 33-year-old man multiple times between 18 and 27 January. In one instance, a significant number of emergency resources were deployed to the victim’s location on the false premise of an emergency.
In another incident, police believe the man caused a disturbance outside the victim’s residence around 2:00am on Monday, 27 January. Whilst police were speaking with the victim at his residence, they observed the alleged offender and attempted to place him under arrest. He refused to follow police directions and fled the scene. The man was located at his Stuart Park residence by police later the same day. He allegedly resisted arrest prior to being taken into custody.
Acting Superintendent Sandi-Lee Mellon said hoax phone calls to emergency services are a serious matter.
“In addition to causing annoyance, hoax phone calls can deprive genuine victims from receiving prompt assistance from emergency services. The 000 line is only to be used during emergencies. The improper use of an emergency call service is dangerous and, as proven in this circumstance, will be dealt with by police accordingly.”
The man has been charged with:
- 2x Improper use of emergency call service
- 2x Resist police in execution of duty
- Unreasonably cause substantial annoyance
- Unlawful stalking
- Threats to a person involved with judicial proceedings
He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on 31 January 2020.
