Carlisle man charged with misuse of 999
He's due in court today (Thursday)
Last updated 16th May 2024
A CARLISLE man has appeared in court accused of making nuisance 999 calls reporting the presence of a man with a gun at a city retail park.
Ben Addison, who's 26 and from Melbourne Road faces one charge arising out of an incident which sparked an armed response by police officers yesterday morning (Wednesday 15 May).
Addison appeared in front of city magistrates today (Thursday 16 May).
He formally pleaded not guilty to one charge which alleges that he persistent made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.
Addison, wearing a grey long-sleeved jumper, spoke in court to confirm his name, date of birth, that his address was a hotel on London Road in Carlisle; and to enter his plea.
A trial was fixed and is due to take place at the city magistrates’ court on 9th July. In the meantime he has been granted conditional bail.
A Cumbria police spokesman had confirmed yesterday, in the wake of the incident, a male had been detained and that there was no wider risk to the public.
“Two cordons were put place near the Lanes shopping centre and Crosby Street. The public may see an increased police presence in Carlisle town centre while enquiries are being carried out,” said the spokesman.
In an update issued this morning, the spokesman added:
“From further enquires carried out it has been established that the individual never had access to a firearm and there was no firearm involved in the incident yesterday.”