Nuisance caller who abused police staff convicted

Ellie Compton dialled 999 on three separate occasions on the morning of December 14, with calls lasting two minutes and 15 seconds, one minute and 13 seconds, and four minutes and three seconds, police said.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Compton, 35, unemployed, was arrested and in interview she claimed she called police from the edge of a cliff because she needed help, however the calls came from the landline phone of her home in Nuthurst Place, Brighton.

“At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on March 16, Compton pleaded guilty to persistently making use of public communications to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.

“She also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to magistrates’ court having been released on bail – her original court appearance was scheduled for January 18.

“She was sentenced to a 12-month community order which requires her to participate in rehabilitation sessions.

“Compton received the same sentence for a number of similar offences in 2016.”