Teenager tried to get free lift home from police by making hoax bomb call

A drunk teenager tried to get a lift home with police by telling them he’d planted a nail bomb in a hotel.

George Brazil, 19, dialled 999 four times on January 7, telling police his name was ‘Mr Bomb’ and that he had left an explosive in the Mecure Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne, Kent.

The hoax triggered a major response at the hotel, which was being used as a temporary court at the time, with Special Branch and firearms officers swarming the building.

Appearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court, Brazil, of Faversham, Kent, pleaded guilty to telling police false information with the intention of inducing them to believe a bomb was present at the hotel.

Alan Balneaves, prosecuting, told the court Brazil had been drinking and was intoxicated by the time he made the calls, adding: ‘He decided the best way to get back home was to make a bomb hoax.

‘Kent Police received four 999 calls from a gentleman who said he was Mr Bomb.

‘There were a number of calls. He said he had a nail bomb and said he was in Isis. He also gave his name, address and date of birth.’

Mr Balneaves said that while no explosives were found at the hotel, the calls caused a huge amount of police work.

‘The police did not see it at the time as somebody who was drunk and making calls to get a lift home,’ he told the court.

‘It was amateurish at best and foolish.’

Defending, Wayne Crowhurst said Brazil’s actions, who was 18 at the time, could be partly explained by the influence of alcohol and a ‘lack of maturity’.

‘He’s also autistic which might explain the repeated phone calls,’ Mr Crowhurst said.

‘He had an argument with a young lady and he couldn’t get home so he thought he would phone the police.’

Mr Crowhurst said Brazil was skilled in building computers, adding that ‘with the right guidance he could have a bright future’.

Brazil was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as pay £85 costs and a £115 surcharge.

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