Man avoids prison after making “indecent” call to Ambulance Service

A County Durham man has avoided prison after he made an “indecent” call to the ambulance service earlier this year, abusing the emergency line.

Sean Hodgeson, 22, of Globe Close appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court accused of sending a communication of an indecent nature to ambulance dispatch from Darlington on Monday, June 3.

The court was was told the phone call to the North East Ambulance Service was “in whole or part, of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom its contents or nature should be communicated”.

Hodgeson pleaded guilty to the charge brought under the Malicious Communications Act of 1988.

Magistrates sentenced to 16 Weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. The custodial sentence was suspended because of the “realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.

Hogdeson was also ordered to pay Crown Prosecution Costs of £85 and a surcharge of £154.