A FORMER councillor who became abusive to a 999 call handler told a court he had been having a mental health episode.

Peter Little, 38, initially refused to identify himself when he appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, saying it was his right to remain silent.

He then entered a not guilty plea to sending by public communication network a false message to cause annoyance, inconvenience, or anxiety. 

Little said: “At the time of the offence I was having a psychotic episode and have no recollection of it.” 

Outlining the case, prosecutor Pamela Fee said a call handler at the Penrith headquarters received a 999 call on March 4 from a male, who stated he was going to kill himself.

He refused to provide his name and address, saying “I don’t have to tell you. I’m just going to kill myself.”

Little then told the call handler to “f*** off”.

A further 999 call was received and the male caller refused to provide his name. The caller was asked if he was Peter Little. The caller replied, “you got a problem with that?”

The caller then said, “if you come in my house, I will put a bomb in your face” and “I want to be sectioned. You can’t do anything, you idiot.”

Police arrived at Little’s address on Grasmere Terrace in Maryport a short while later. He had a small bottle of vodka and coke and was “clearly under the influence”. He was abusive throughout.

He was then arrested for misuse of the 999 system and detained in custody.

Little, who was not legally represented in court, said: “I didn’t realise it was a criminal offence to phone 999 and say you are going to kill yourself.

“You should be ashamed picking on people with mental health problems. It’s help you should be giving people, not punishment.”

Little then said he wanted to be tried at the crown court, “to let the public decide his fate” but was told this was not possible due to it being a summary offence – triable only in the magistrates’ court.

He then changed his plea to guilty. The case was adjourned until June 6 to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

Little was jailed in October 2021 after making threats towards Workington MP Mark Jenkinson and Andrew Seekings, who at the time was Allerdale Council's chief executive.

He was removed from his position as councillor for the Maryport South ward on Allerdale Council following his imprisonment.