Blackhall Colliery man jailed for sex calls to emergency services

Anthony Marsh admitted four offences when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court

A man who made more than 100 sexually explicit calls to the emergency services has been jailed for 24 weeks.

Anthony Marsh, 56, made explicit calls to 999 and 111 over several hours on two occasions in March and April.

Teesside Magistrates' Court said the call handlers were especially busy at the time dealing with coronavirus calls.

Marsh, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, admitted three communications offences.

During the calls Marsh, of Tenth Street, made unwanted sexual comments, asked to speak to female staff members and said he was watching pornographic films.

'Distressing nuisance'

He also admitted one count of harassment relating to a female detective who he bombarded with calls, left explicit messages for and said he was in love with.

The court heard that while the detective considered herself "robust", Marsh's harassment had a detrimental impact on her.

District Judge Helen Cousins told Marsh: "NHS staff and police officers deserve all the support that they can be given, particularly at the present time, and they need to know this type of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Andrew Teate, defending, said the calls were "a complete waste of time, a nuisance and distressing in nature to the members of the NHS who are dealing with serious, life-threatening conditions".

He added: "While the defendant has not been diagnosed with any mental health problem, these offences do not necessarily fall within what one might call normal."

Marsh was also issued with a restraining order banning him from contacting the detective or calling 999 or 111 except in a genuine emergency.