Nuisance caller John Spare in court again for sending an abusive text
A PEST who was convicted of plaguing police with nuisance and malicious calls has appeared again in court just weeks later for a similar offence.
John Spare, who was given a conditional discharge last month, has now pleaded guilty to sending an indecent and offensive message to a Derby Telegraph reporter.
The 63-year-old sent the message to crime reporter Martin Naylor almost two weeks after the first case was reported in the Derby Telegraph, magistrates heard.
Andrew Oldroyd, for Spare, said his client was not a well man.
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"He is somebody who very much feels he is the victim, that nobody listens to him," said Mr Oldroyd.
In the first case, Spare bombarded the Derbyshire force's non-emergency 101 number with 61 calls between January and October – often becoming irate and on occasion abusive.
In the latest case, prosecutor Alison Wright said: "The message was directed at Mr Naylor. It was exceptionally personal."
In the message, which was sexual and offensive, included the abusive terms four-eyed, filthy, alcoholic, decrepit and demented.
Following the hearing, Mr Naylor said: "I guessed by the tone of the message that it was Mr Spare. At first I laughed it off but the more I thought about it, the more I realised Mr Spare needed help and the best thing I could do was report it."
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court yesterday heard that police went to Spare's home in Ivy Close, Willington, and found the mobile phone from which the text message was sent. He was arrested and interviewed but remained silent.
In court he admitted, under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, to sending the text for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.
Ms Wright said: "This puts him in breach of an identical-type offence given to him only days beforehand."
Spare will have a mental health assessment and a probation service report prepared before he is sentenced next month.
Magistrates will also consider an application for an anti-social behaviour order to stop him making calls to various organisations.
He has been released on bail and told he must not contact any staff member at the Derby Telegraph or Derbyshire police unless it was "a genuine emergency".
Comments
by Anti_Troll_
Sunday, December 30 2012, 7:00PM
“"by Andrew_Ilson
Saturday, December 29 2012, 6:53PM
."So that's what John looks like."
YOU REALLY ARE A MENTAL MIDGET”
by rjh18
Sunday, December 30 2012, 6:41PM
“This man could have a genuine reason for acting in this manner. Google behavioral variant frontal temporal lobe dementia and see the symptoms that not only he might be suffering from, but the effect it has on his family and friends too.
Anyone that finds it funny or entertaining, then well, what can I say.”
by Sarahdogood
Saturday, December 29 2012, 10:14PM
“by Andrew_Ilson
Saturday, December 29 2012, 6:53PM
.
"So that's what John looks like."
Has that made your day then Andrew?
You are easily pleased.”
by Spildabeenz
Saturday, December 29 2012, 5:47PM
“"I guessed by the tone of the message that it was Mr Spare.".....
These people do have specific literal metaphorical diction styles and are identified thus on internet sites the world over. It is a growing problem, one which even this site suffers from on occasion.
I actually do not think though, that this guy needs medical help. He clearly has issues which is one thing, but being unable to stop himself hitting send/ posting etc, is a deliberate act that is something which he chooses to carry out.
There are lots of nasty people like this out there. The web is giving them a platform of anonymity which they use to spit bile & venom.
A custodial sentence with no internet access should help him see the error of his actions.”
by Tamas
Saturday, December 29 2012, 2:28PM
“Nuisance caller, wasting police time, sending threats. He doesn't need help, he needs punishment.”
by Yorkyram
Saturday, December 29 2012, 12:54PM
“A padded cell springs to mind!! lol..”
by NewForOld
Saturday, December 29 2012, 12:35PM
“He is a complete nuisance. Maybe he could be sent to live next door to an antisocial family, give him a taste of his own medicine”
by towercrane
Saturday, December 29 2012, 12:32PM
“He clearly needs help but i doubt very much thats what the reporter was concerned about realy, he needs to mix with people, ill bet he dosent get to speek to anyone and just stays home on his own. The court should make an order for him to have a pet, to look after something to focas his attention. Theres no need to make him look like the local fool, what do we know of his life.”
by dianae
Saturday, December 29 2012, 8:25AM
“Could someone not harness his energy to better use? He could talk to all those people who ring up claiming to be able to fix computers (in order to gain bank details etc) and keep them busy so they couldn't ring me!”