An unemployed Douglas man has been fined £625 after making ’999’ calls to complain that his mattress had been stolen.

Jonathan Richard Fletcher, of Derby Road, admitted an offence of making use of a public telecommunications system for the purpose of causing annoyance to others.

He also pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to breach an alcohol ban.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court how, on September 13, between 7.49am and 6.54pm, Fletcher made seven ’999’ calls.

During the first three calls he told the emergency services joint control room that his mattress had been stolen.

He was told each time not to call again but then rang asking: ’Can I trespass on my own land?’

In other time wasting calls Fletcher said that he wanted to go back to Jurby and that he had nearly been hit by a car on the way to the shop.

Fletcher’s previous offences include calling ’999’ demanding an ambulance, then telling paramedics he had toothache when it arrived, and on another occasion, dialling ’999’ and asking for ’assassinations’.

Fletcher was banned from purchasing alcohol on June 12 but despite this tried to buy two bottles of wine at Mace in Bathurst Street in Douglas on August 11 telling the shop assistant: ’Nobody will know about it.’

On six other occasions he tried to buy alcohol from different stores.

He told police the alcohol was ’a gift’. When asked who for, he answered, ’a gift to me’.

Defending Fletcher in court his advocate Roger Kane said: ’It’s Groundhog Day with Mr Fletcher. The court will be well aware of his personal circumstances and mental health so I’m not going to speak about them. He has previously dealt with the Drug and Alcohol Team. He is alcohol dependent and can’t break himself free without some kind of assistance.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes suggested that Fletcher contact Motiv8 or Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mrs Hughes said referring the ’999’ calls: ’It was a considerable amount of time. You made several calls, clogging up the line for anyone who may have an emergency.’