A PHONE pest who has repeatedly wasted the time of the emergency services has been warned he is facing jail if his bizarre behaviour continues.

Attention-seeking Stephen Paterson appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court in connection with offences stretching from September 2016 until earlier this month.

Paterson, 40, of Kirkburn Drive, Cardenden, admitted three offences.

On September 25, 2016, at Navitie Park, Ballingry, he called NHS 24 and stated he had taken an overdose.

On March 24 last year, at Kirkburn Drive, he repeatedly contacted the emergency services, said he was suicidal and falsely claimed he had taken a quantity of drugs.

On June 2, at his home and in Wallsgreen Gardens, Cardenden, he falsely said to Police Scotland call handlers that he had lost his mobile phone and also that he would jump in front of cars, causing police to investigate false claims.

Defence agent James Moncrieff said his client had held down a job for a long period but “he feels lonely at the weekends”.

This results in him drinking alcohol and he then starts phoning the emergency services, added the solicitor.

“He knows he can’t keep offending like this and the court’s patience will be running out. He realises he’s on thin ice.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry called for reports and Paterson will be sentenced on July 25.

The sheriff granted bail “with some reluctance” but warned Paterson if he offended again in the meantime he would be facing a long jail term.