A north-east man has been fined £300 for wasting police time.
Peterhead Sheriff Court heard David Beesley, 61, had called the police at 10:20pm on May 1 this year, saying two unknown males had assaulted and tried to steal items from him at the Alpha School in the town.
He was later charged and admitted in court to causing officers to devote their time and services in a false investigation, in turn depriving the public of their service.
Fiscal Sandy Hutchison said: “He gave a description of the events. The police initially didn’t think there was anything untoward. Some witnesses were interviewed but indicated that nothing had happened. In the end, he accepted that he had given false information.”
Beesley elected to represent himself in court and when asked if he had anything to add to the fiscal’s summary of events, he said: “Just that I’m sorry for what I did.”
At the time of the offence, Beesley had been in the process of being evicted from his home. He was also said to be suffering from a stress condition and was bi-polar.
Fining him, Sheriff Edward Savage said: “To some extent, your medical condition may mitigate slightly the serious nature of your offence. I’m going to deal with this today by way of a fine.”
Beesley, of Hatton Farm Gardens, Hatton, agreed to pay off the penalty in monthly instalments of £70.