Man jailed day after abusing 999 call handlers

A man who repeatedly called 999 and abused the call handlers has been jailed just a day after his arrest.

Lazarus Willmott, 59, of Great Brays in Harlow, Essex, made six calls to 999 where he was abusive to the handler and wished harm on officers between 07:40 and 08:06 BST on Sunday.

He was arrested at his home a short time later and while in custody, he racially abused one of Essex Police's officers.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to the offences at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to six weeks in prison.

Willmott admitted persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience, and anxiety, and racially or religiously aggravated harassment or alarm.

Temporary Ch Insp Emily Holmes, district commander for Harlow, said call handlers did not deserve to be faced "with such a barrage of abuse" and that no one should face racial abuse.

"Sadly this incident highlights what officers face on a regular basis when keeping the public safe and bringing suspects into custody," she added.

Ch Insp Stuart Rawlings, head of the contact centre, described Willmott's actions as unacceptable after he had prevented genuine callers getting help.

"Our contact handlers are here to help people, often at some of the most difficult moments in their lives," he said.

"Nobody should come to work and be subjected to abuse for simply doing their job."

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