Suspended sentence for Derry man who made hoax calls to emergency services

A man who a barrister said 'has a fascination with blue light services' has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates' Court for improper use of the communications network. 

Stephen Brian Kennedy (30) of Leafair Park appeared charged in connection with two incidents that occurred on May 14, 2023 and August 19, 2023.

The court heard that on  May 14 at 5.35am police were contacted by the ambulance service to a report if a stabbing in the Bradley's Pass area.

Police also received a call to say a male gad been stabbed but we're unable to find any victim. 

The Ambulance Service told police they believed this was a hoax call and police were able to trace the call to Kennedy and he was charged with wasting the time of the emergency services.

The court heard that on August 19 police received several calls and when answered there would be silence or someone laughing.

Police went to Kennedy's address and an 'altercation ensued' which in the course of an object was thrown at a police woman's head.

Kennedy denied making any calls and also denied throwing anything. 

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said his client had a history of calls to the emergency services.

He said he was now in employment and had not come to police attention since September last year. 

Deputy District Judge John Rea said the defendant had 'a bad record' for this type of offending. 

He said this was 'serious offending' as police and ambulance services would be diverted when they could be attending a real emergency. 

Kennedy was told 'you have to stop doing this because if you don't you are going to jail.'

Kennedy was given six months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the police officer he assaulted.