Michael Banks, 37, of Ullswater Crescent, Winlaton, Gateshead, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates' Court this week to deny breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by dialling 999 31 times on August 2.
Order conditions
The CBO, imposed in September 2025, is lifelong and contains a single condition: Banks must not call 999 or 101 unless there is a genuine emergency involving a threat to life, serious risk of harm, or an ongoing crime.
Prosecutors allege Banks made the calls while at home, claiming he was having a seizure, despite there being no genuine need.
Court proceedings
Christopher O'Brien, prosecuting, said the case was suitable for summary trial, and District Judge Kate Meek agreed. However, Banks opted for trial at the crown court.
He was released on conditional bail, with the condition to maintain his address as a correspondence address, and is next due to appear on August 10. Judge Meek warned: "If you commit any further offences while this is ongoing I think you will get locked up."
