A CARDENDEN man who has been making hoax 999 calls for years has been given another jail warning.

Stephen Paterson, 43, of Kirkburn Drive, was back in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He admitted that on August 20 last year, he made unnecessary 999 calls repeatedly.

It was his ninth conviction for similar offending.

Depute fiscal Jill Currie said the first call was made at 12.45am with Paterson saying he was feeling suicidal.

However, when police arrived, he told them he was okay and not suicidal.

The officers left but were back again after another 999 call from Paterson at 2.55am.

“He appeared to be fine when they got there and he was arrested,” added the depute.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said his client’s repeated offending had led to him losing his job when the firm decided “enough was enough”.

“He is very isolated and doesn’t have any friends. He has a need to talk to somebody, anybody and this is exacerbated by alcohol,” he added.

Sheriff James Macdonald told Paterson: “You’re at the end of the road for community disposals. This is your last chance.”

He imposed a community payback order with 120 hours of unpaid work and 12 months of supervision.

The jail threat is a warning that has been made to Paterson by various sheriffs over the years.

Back in May 2016, Sheriff Charles Macnair told Paterson: "This is not a one-off, it's numerous times. If you do it again and I have anything to do with it, you will be serving a lengthy custodial sentence."