An Adelaide man is behind bars after allegedly making 251 menacing phone calls to police in just eight hours. 

Between 4.45pm yesterday and 1.00am today, 45-year-old Robert Branch is accused of calling the police assistance line roughly every two minutes.

Police say the alleged behaviour was disruptive to operations, with the 131 444 number intended for individuals requiring help from officers. 

Branch was eventually arrested at his home and charged with using a carriage service in a harassing or offensive way. 

If guilty, he could face a jail term

“This is the worst type of idiotic, unthinking behaviour,” Police Minister Stephen Mullighan said.

Branch has earlier posted videos online showing his trips to police stations. Nonetheless, the present charges are not connected to those earlier in-person encounters.

During a court hearing, Branch launched an outburst, saying “police are out of control” before he was remanded in custody.

“This is a substantial charge, accompanied by very severe penalties, which will convey a very explicit warning to anyone else in the community who might be contemplating engaging in similarly foolish conduct,” Mullighan stated.

A bail hearing is scheduled for next week.