A DISTRESSED man made an indecent telephone call to an Ipswich senior child care practitioner as cry for help, a court has heard.South East Suffolk Magistrates heard Nigel Fisher rang three organisations before contacting Children's Resource Centre in Crabbe Street where he asked: "Do you deal with children?"The woman answering the call was unsure of the context so asked if she could help, said David Taylor, prosecuting.

A DISTRESSED man made an indecent telephone call to an Ipswich senior child care practitioner as cry for help, a court has heard.

South East Suffolk Magistrates heard Nigel Fisher rang three organisations before contacting Children's Resource Centre in Crabbe Street where he asked: "Do you deal with children?"

The woman answering the call was unsure of the context so asked if she could help, said David Taylor, prosecuting.

Fisher, who admitted improper use of a telecommunication system, responded saying he was making an indecent gesture in front of an eight-year old in school uniform.

The distressed woman immediately contacted police. Fisher, who has similar previous convictions, was traced and admitted making the call as a cry for help, the court was told.

Trevor Linn, mitigating, said Fisher, of Cliff Road, Dovercourt, Essex, felt at a loss after completing a probation order because he had no one to discuss his problems with.

Finding himself at a low ebb he made several phone calls that day "because he felt in danger of committing a more serious offence than he finds himself here today," said Mr Linn.

Fisher also called The Samaritans, Social Services and ChildLine suggesting he needed immediate help. As no one returned his call he telephoned the Children's Resource Centre.

Mr Linn said Fisher's past similar offences were more to do with the collapse of his relationship with his partner than to draw attention to the authorities he needed help.

The 35-year-old was trying to address his problems by seeing a psychiatrist and taking prescribed medication.

Mark Wade, chairman of the bench, ordered reports before sentencing Fisher on May 7. All options were open including custody.