A MAN who made hoax calls which resulted in an armed police response being deployed has been given a community order.

Neil Pederson admitted making four 999 calls which led to armed officers attending the Martley home of his elderly grandmother, when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Colette Orton, prosecuting, told magistrates that the calls were made between 10.40pm on March 15, and into the early hours of March 16, with the 37-year-old giving his name as Ricardo Denti.

Mrs Orton said: “He told the West Mercia Police control room that ‘a man named Neil Pederson’ would be leaving the property with a sawed-off shotgun. He made four calls.

“Armed police went out at 1.55am, and contained the property.”

Mrs Orton said Pederson, of no fixed abode, was initially arrested for suspicion of having a firearm but after this weapon was not found the control room phoned the number that made the calls, which called Pederson’s iPhone. Pederson then told police he had drunk eight to 10 cans of cider.

His 85-year-old grandmother slept through the entire incident, Mrs Orton added.

During Thursday’s hearing Sarah Brady, defending, said: “He is embarrassed and ashamed - he doesn’t really remember exactly what he was doing.

"He was in a confused state.

“He accepts his phone rang, it was that phone.”

Miss Brady explained at the time he had come off medication which wasn’t agreeing with him, and made the foolish decision to drink.

“At the time he was living with his grandmother,” she said.

“As a result of bringing police to the door, he left voluntary. He is currently staying at a Travelodge.”

Miss Brady said his record showed during a 10 year period there were no offences when he was in a relationship and had children.

Miss Brady explained after that relationship broke down his record started again in 2014, which included a prison sentence and being given a conditional discharge last year.

Magistrates gave Pederson a 12-month community order, including 10 rehabilitation days. He was also fined £45, and ordered to pay costs of £50 and a victim surcharge £85 – a total of £180.