'Lonely' woman's false 999 call

A woman who rang 999 because she was depressed and lonely has been warned she will go to prison if she makes any more false emergency calls.

Samantha Elizabeth Edgeley, 34, of Mold, called the ambulance service when drunk and asked for help, Flintshire magistrates' court heard.

But when paramedics got to her home, there was nothing wrong with her.

She admitted making a false 999 call and district Judge Andrew Shaw placed her on supervision for 18 months.

Prosecutor Christine O'Kane told the court in Mold a 999 call was received at the ambulance control room to say that Edgeley could not get up off the floor.

But a paramedic found her sitting on the settee smoking and listening to music.

Real emergency

She indicated that she had hurt her knee but when she was examined there was no evidence of any abnormality or swelling and she could walk around without any problem.

The court heard she was arrested for abusing the 999 emergency system and when interviewed said that she was aware what the system was there for.

She admitted making the call on 10 April simply because she was depressed and lonely.

District Judge Shaw said that her false call could have diverted the crew from a real emergency and had the potential to put others at risk.

"I hope you do not come back again charged with a similar offence. If you do, you will be going to prison," he warned her.

Five days after the offence in April she had appeared before Wrexham magistrates for a similar offence and had been placed on a community order.

He placed her on supervision for 18 months and said that the original order would remain in place.