Man 'in crisis' falsely called police about 'murder'

Force bombarded with 72 calls about 'serious crimes' in 13 days

- Sentinel Reporter

ROUGH sleeper Richard Lawton bombarded the police with 72 calls in two weeks.

The 37-year-old called 999 and reported a number of serious crimes, including murder.

But officers found there was nothing happening.

Now Lawton has been handed a 12-month community order at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail said Staffordshire Police received 72 calls from Lawton between September 1 and 13.

Miss Swindail said: “He reported a number of things including murder, kidnap, armed robbery, and said people were being either attacked or followed.