Listen: Abusive 999 calls end with suspended sentence

A man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after abusive 999 calls made to a police force.

Nicky Houghton, 49, of Normanston Drive in Lowestoft was sentenced at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on 12 August after pleading guilty to persistently making use of public communication networks to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.

Suffolk Police said Houghton made repeated calls in July 2026 and was "verbally abusive to call takers, swearing and making inappropriate or sexually explicit comments".

He was given a nine-week custodial sentence, suspended for nine months. He must also undertake alcohol treatment and has to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £154.