An American man has received a one-year prison sentence for orchestrating a series of hoax emergency calls, nearly 100 in total, claiming he would set off bombs throughout the UK.
David Hart, aged 22, dialed the UK’s 999 emergency number 95 times over several months, issuing bomb threats against various locations, including hospitals, which incited widespread public fear.
In one alarming instance, he warned a prominent London hospital, “I’ve placed a bomb in your corridor bathroom. You have precisely 12 seconds to evacuate the building.”
The Metropolitan Police in London reported that officers acted swiftly in response to these threats, which, though unfounded, sparked considerable panic among employees, patrons, and the general public.
“These threats, though ultimately baseless, were taken seriously and caused significant disruption,” the statement from the police emphasized. “Pranks of this nature endanger lives and come with severe repercussions.”
“False threats are not a prank, they threaten lives and carry serious consequences.”
Hart was prosecuted following a joint investigation by US and British law enforcement agencies.
Footage of Hart being questioned by US authorities shows he initially denied making any threats.
“I made a lot of stupid prank calls .. but nothing threatening,” he said.
On Tuesday he was sentenced to 12 months’ jail by a New York court.
