Last updated at 16:23, Thursday, 21 March 2013

A FORMER prisoner “inexplicably” pretended to be his neighbour and reported a row he had with his own girlfriend.

Shaun Patrick Ayres had the argument with his partner Nicola Walker at their home in St Luke’s Street, Barrow, on February 12.

Ayres, 22, then left the home and – passing himself off as his neighbour – called police and reported a domestic matter at his own address.

Mrs Lisa Hine, prosecuting, told Furness Magistrates’ Court the police control room received the call from a mobile number just after 3pm. Three police officers were deployed on emergency response in two vehicles.

Upon arrival, they spoke to Ms Walker, who said she had an argument with Ayres, but he left the home some time later. Officers left the scene after realising it was a false alarm.

When interviewed by police, Ayres admitted calling police pretending to be a neighbour.

He said he had been drinking alcohol, argued with Ms Walker and suggested he had wanted to go back to prison. The court heard Ayres had been given a custodial sentence in April last year after admitting handling goods stolen from a dead woman’s house in Barrow.

Mr Mike Graham, defending, told the court: “As he told me this morning, his behaviour is inexplicable. He did have an argument, but it was nothing of any great significance.”

Mr Graham said Ayres was in employment until recently, but was now getting Jobseeker’s Allowance and looking to enrol on a welding course at Furness College.

Ayres admitted sending a communication conveying false information. Magistrates gave him a six-month community order. He must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

First published at 16:09, Thursday, 21 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk