AN Ilminster man who put other people’s lives at risk by blocking up the emergency call system claimed he did it to alert others about world political affairs.

Jeffrey Colin Dyke bombarded call operators working on the 999 and 101 call systems, was verbally abusive towards them and called them “Satan’s Monkeys”.

Each time he voiced his views on national political and military issues, especially with regard to the conflict in the Middle East.

Dyke, 50, of Winterhay Lane, pleaded guilty at a previous appearance before Somerset Magistrates that between January 19 and February 21 at Ilminster he persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another.

He was sentenced to a six month community order with a requirement to carry out a specified activity programme. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Adrian Maxwell, prosecuting, said that the offences were committed on various dates over a five week period and during that time Dyke made 29 calls to the 999 service and a further five to the 101 call system.

He said: “On January 28 he made a total of 22 calls all of a similar nature and was generally abusive to whoever answered.

“He called police officers and support staff Satan’s monkeys and went on about his view of world politics, particularly the Middle East.

“He was eventually arrested by police and when interviewed made no comment to all the questions asked of him.”

Mr Maxwell added that as a result of the defendant’s actions it had precluded other people from using the emergency services call system.

He also said that the defendant had previous convictions for other similar offences.

Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister said that his client had not called the call handlers Satan’s Monkeys, but rather that they were working for Satan’s Monkeys.

“In saying this he meant they were working for the government which he believes are the helpers of Satan,” he said.

“His comments are particularly involved with world events such as the invasion of Iraq and Syria.

“Many of the incidents he has phoned about have reacted to important incidents that have occurred in the Arab states and he genuinely believes that he needs to warn people that something dangerous or serious is going to happen.

“His belief is exacerbated by drinking alcohol and he then makes repeated phone calls and that is what makes it a public nuisance.”

He added that Dyke had previously been admitted to hospital and assessed as not having any mental illness and said he did not have a condition that was capable of being treated.

“He is very worried about the state of the world but other people just don’t express it in the same way as him, but unfortunately when he has been drinking he overdoes it,” he said.