Man told police he would shoot

A MAN who was “down in the dumps” falsely told police he had a shotgun and was going to shoot people.

Richard Holden, of Gilderdale Close in Shaw, pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates Court yesterday to wasting police time.

In November Holden (45) called police on separate days complaining about his partner. A third call informed ppolice he was going to commit suicide, had a shotgun and would shoot 24 people.

He called a fourth time to say he was lying.

Prosecuting, Kerry Bell said: “He explained he was down in the dumps and felt frustrated. He realised what he had said, panicked and gave false information.”

Defending, Richard Williamson said Holden had a serious drink problem that caused tensions with his long-term partner and led to the calls.

Holden was given a 12-month supervised community order and ordered to take six months of alcohol treatment. He was also ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work and to pay £145 costs.