Northampton man found guilty after calling police on 101 and threatening to slit call handlers' throats

A man admitted to making threatening and abusive calls to the non-emergency police 101 number in court on Monday (February 15).

Kevin Stephenson, 53, of Kettering Road, appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to one count under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

The court heard how Stephenson made six telephone calls on the afternoon of February 1 and repeatedly swore at call handlers and threatened to slit their throats.

Stephenson was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 in compensation.

Assistant chief constable, James Andronov - who oversees the Northamptonshire Police Force Control Room (FCR) - said: "The repeat calls that Stephenson made to the 101 number that afternoon were abhorrent, containing incredibly violent threats that caused needless distress and anxiety to those who heard them.

“Our call handlers should rightly be proud of the way they remained calm and professional despite his provocation.

“They and their colleagues come to work every day to help people, they are the calm voices on the end of the telephone when people need the police, and they are not there to be abused.

“It is right Stephenson was taken to court for his actions, as Northamptonshire Police will not tolerate the abuse of staff or officers, or any activity that wastes their valuable time or resources.”