A REPEAT offender called 999 claiming to have chest pains and pretending his neighbours were trying to break down his door, a court has heard.

Derek Ian Anthony admitted breaching a criminal behaviour order banning him from contacting emergency services except in a true emergency and ordering him to attend an alcohol rehabilitation programme on five occasions between October 28 and January 6 when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on February 17.

Police were called to Anthony's Aubrey Street flat at 10.32pm on October 28 after he dialled 999 to report being attacked, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe told the court.

But when they arrived, Anthony refused to let them into his block of flats, leaving them to ask another resident for access. He then refused all but one of the officers access to his flat, where he was found to have no sign of any injuries.

At 10pm the next evening, paramedics were sent to his flat, after he called 111 claiming to have chest pains. Anthony refused to let the paramedics in, telling them he did not need help and forcing them to call the fire service to gain access, only opening his door when he was told it would have to be forced open.

The 51-year-old again called 999 just before 7pm on November 10, claiming his neighbours were trying to break into his flat. Police again attended, but CCTV showed no evidence of his claims.

Police were sent to the flat again at 8.38pm on November 21 after Anthony reported he was scared to leave his home as his neighbours had been trying to break into his flat for four days. Anthony again refused to let them in, telling them they were not welcome.

Anthony, who is currently serving a six-month prison sentence at HMP Hewell after other breaches of his criminal behaviour order, also failed to turn up for a drug and alcohol services meeting on November 30.

In police interview, Anthony said he had been drunk on each occasion and could not remember making three of the emergency calls. He admitted making up that his neighbours were trying to break in on November 10.

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Edmund Middleton, for Anthony, said the breaches pre-date those that Anthony was jailed for in December.

"That sentence was imposed without evidence from a psychiatrist," Mr Middleton said.

"Had that report been available when the CBO was made, there might have been an argument as to whether or not it would help reduce his antisocial behaviour.

"He has learning difficulties, a personality disorder, alcohol issues, and is isolated. This puts him in a position where he is set up to fail."

Magistrates agreed to defer sentencing for four months to allow him to engage with support services.