The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
As ridiculous calls to 999 go, police might have briefly smirked at a Spalding man’s request for help to find him a girlfriend.
But it was no laughing matter when 54-year-old Brian Chappell called nine times in quick succession over his quest for love – potentially delaying the Lincolnshire force’s response to an emergency.
The self-styled “social justice warrior” insisted he was within his rights to enlist officers’ help to find a partner, Boston Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday.
However, the only thing which came his way was a £200 fine.
Chappell, of Gaunt Close, pleaded guilty to making a total of 12 calls to 999 to cause annoyance or inconvenience between June 27 and June 30. He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order imposed in March for assault and threats to cause criminal damage.
Prosecutor Marie Stace said: “From June 28 to the early hours of June 29 the defendant called 999 a number of times.
“He was saying to the operator that he needed a girlfriend and the police needed to help him find one.
“He kept being told it was not a police matter. The decision was taken after nine calls were made that he should be arrested.”
Miss Stace told the court that Lincolnshire Police’s Force Control Room has two call-takers earmarked for 999 calls at any one time and frivolous calls can have a detrimental impact on service.
In mitigation, Mike Alexander said his client had suffered a brain injury many years ago and his behaviour had been affected.
The solicitor also claimed the calls were not just about helping Chappell find a girlfriend.
“He was given a notice not to rant outside the police station. He disagreed with that and was trying to tell them they were going about it the wrong way,” said Mr Alexander.
“He’s a social justice warrior and he feels legitimately that he was justified in ringing the police for help.
“I said to him ‘do you think you should’ve done this’ and he said ‘no, I accept it was too much.’
“He tends to get it into his head ‘I’m going to pursue it and do it until I get a response.’”
Chappell was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and £80 victim surcharge.
