A MAN who dialled 999 in a non-emergency breached an antisocial behaviour order, a court heard.

Gerald Morgan, of Queen Anne Drive, West Mersea, admitted breaching the order which was put on him in September last year.

The court heard he had seen “something happening” and was doing his “responsible citizen’s action” and trying to report it to the police.

David Bryant, prosecuting, said: “On December 19 he telephoned the emergency services – namely the police – but his Asbo says he must not contact them unless it’s a genuine emergency.

“It isn’t for the prosecution to influence with regard to sentence, but in this case I have to say he was very remorseful. In interview he admitted he had done wrong and it is clear to the police he only commits offences when drunk.”

Peter Young, mitigating, told the court: “He had seen something happening in West Mersea and, doing his responsible citizen’s action, he did contact police.

“It was not deemed an emergency, which is why it was a breach of the Asbo. He has pressures on him – one of his worries is that he is a self-employed builder and work has been thin on the ground.”

He explained things “came to a head” on Thursday when Morgan realised there was no money coming in this month.

The court heard the 45-year-old had family coming to visit at Christmas, but he was keen to get help for an alcohol problem.

Magistrates adjourned the hearing for a pre-sentence report and released him on conditional bail. He will appear before Colchester Magistrates on January 14.