A Templeton pensioner, with a history of making nuisance phone calls to the emergency services whilst drunk, has been jailed again for making a series of false 999 calls and wasting police time.

Seventy-one-year-old Ann Gateley, of Chapel Hill Lane, pleaded guilty to a charge of persistently making use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, when she appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Mrs. Gateley was arrested after making numerous calls to the 999 system on January 7, and had committed similar offences in the past, for which she had been given custodial sentences.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told magistrates that on Sunday, January 7, the defendant made 14 separate phone calls to the police emergency service line between 1 and 6.30 pm.

“The first phone call to the police line from Mrs. Gateley came shortly after 1 pm, when she was crying and confused on the phone, telling the operator that she didn’t know who she was or where she was.

“Officers attended her home address and saw Mrs. Gateley through her bedroom window lying on the bed. She gave them the thumbs up and pulled the curtains. She is well known to the officers and they said that she was not in any distress,” explained Ms Morgan.

The court heard that following the first phone call, Mrs. Gateley proceeded to make 13 further calls to the police that day, all in a similar vein.

“She was ringing up, sounding drunk, sobbing and whining. She was not making any sense and speaking rubbish. At time she was asking for help and then telling the operator, that she ‘didn’t need any help’ when told that a police officer would be calling with her.

“The calls have become pretty repetitive when she is in a confused and drunk state. When asked if she wants help, she usually just hangs up,” she continued.

After call 14, police attended Mrs. Gateley’s home address again shortly before 7 pm, and told her she would be arrested for misusing the 999 system.

“She smelt heavily of alcohol and when told she was going to be arrested, she lashed out at officers. She struggled and had to be restrained.

“When Mrs. Gateley’s mobile phone was checked, 14 calls had been made to the 999 service.

“When interviewed the next morning, Mrs. Gately said that she did not recall drinking or making calls to the 999 system, but did not deny it.

“She was reminded that the last time she did it, she spent four months in prison,” added Ms Morgan.

Defence solicitor Mark Layton told the court that Mrs. Gateley had been to prison on numerous occasions for similar offending.

“In 2012, she was charged with a drink-driving offence and since then has developed a drink problem.

Mr. Layton explained that Mrs. Gateley previously ran a successful business in the area with her husband, but her marriage came to an end shortly before his death.

He suggested not to bother involving the probation service, as Mrs. Gateley had failed to co-operate with them successfully in the past.

“Ultimately the only person that can help her, is herself,” he continued.

“She says that she is committed to helping her drink problem which has plagued her.

“She is lonely and vulnerable, and was sectioned the last time she was in prison. This isn’t standard usual behaviour for someone of Mrs. Gateley’s status. She is an intelligent lady, but when drink gets hold of her, she has problems. She doesn’t go out starting fights or causing trouble when she’s drunk, she sits at home and rings 999.

“Mrs. Gateley is in a favourable position financially, so privately perhaps she can seek help professionally and engage with a private therapist to sort her alcoholism problems out.

Magistrates sentenced Mrs. Gateley to 16 weeks in prison and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £150.

“Taking up the time of the police call centre, who are being diverted away from proper emergency calls, is wrong and you know it!” chief magistrate David Simpson told the defendant.

“After you’ve spent the next four months drying out, please use some of your finances to get some professional help to help you stop drinking,” he added.