Claimed his sister was hostage of Red Hand Commando

He was Ian Roland, whose address was given as Glenfield Road, Lurgan, and last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court he admitted wasting police time on September 22 last year.

He also admitted sending by means of public electronic communications on February 14 last year a false message.

For each offence he was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years.

The court heard that on February 13 last year at 6am a hoax 999 call was made for an ambulance to attend at an address in Lurgan.

On September 22 last year Roland attended at Lurgan police station.

He gave a false name and claimed that his sister was being held hostage by the Red Hand Commando at Glenavon Crescent.

The case had been adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

Mr Gabriel Ingram, representing the defendant, said Roland does want to stop drinking.

Deputy District Judge, Mr Austin Kennedy, said that the defendant was going to have to seek assistance.

He told Roland that this sort of behaviour had to stop or he could be going into custody.

He was giving him one final chance.