David Lewis

A MAN who pleaded guilty to harassing police with more than 50 phone calls in just over three months “insulted” officers with “rude and abusive” language.

David Lewis, 40, of London Road, Ipswich, who suffers from mental illness and depression, made 57 calls to Suffolk police between August 24 and December 1 last year, South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday.

On October 29 and December 1, Lewis pestered police with ten calls on both days.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said: “During calls he is rude and abusive to police staff. He deliberately provokes officers, twists their words and insults them. It has caused needless anxiety.”

Lewis, who moved to Ipswich two years ago from Wales, was warned by police on November 14 to stop making the “unnecessary” calls before he was arrested on December 16.

Ms Small added: “When he was presented with evidence by police, he stated he had legitimate reasons but made admissions that some were unwanted.

“He said he was intoxicated for many of the calls and apologised.”

Ms Small said the calls were having a detrimental impact on the service provided by police at their control centre.

Ms Small, who said Lewis talked about committing suicide in some of his calls, added: “Officers spend a long time with Lewis when they could be dealing with genuine calls.

“The majority of his calls are frivolous and nothing of substance.”

The court heard Lewis has previous convictions for a racially/religiously aggravated public order offence in February 2010 and for being drunk and disorderly in August 2011.

Mark Holt, mitigating, said Lewis, who was also cautioned for arson in 2003, had been calling the police because of problems with a neighbour.

Mr Holt said: “Lewis maintains some of the calls he made were genuine and necessary, but accepts a number of calls should not have been made.

“Some of the calls he made were calling back to apologise.

“There are ongoing issues with his neighbour which I believe the police are investigating – and some of the calls were made about the neighbour.

“Some of the problems have also arisen through drunkenness, but he is not threatening.

“He has some degree of self-control but will be seeing his doctor on Friday to have his medication reviewed.”

South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court bench chairwoman Diane Hunt adjourned the case for three weeks. It will resume for sentencing on January 30.