AN Exmouth man with learning disabilities was fined �100 after admitting he made hoax phone calls to the emergency services.

AN Exmouth man with learning disabilities was fined �100 after admitting he made hoax phone calls to the emergency services.

Magistrates this week heard how James Robert Lee, 21, of Exeter Road, Exmouth, admitted he made two false 999 calls using his mobile phone.

The court heard how in August Lee made a silent call to Devon and Cornwall police, and also contacted the coastguard and fire service.

Magistrates were told Lee, who lives in sheltered accommodation and has a cognitive deficit and requires round-the-clock supervision, made the phone calls while on a conditional discharge for an arson charge.

The court heard Lee made the calls because he was bored and thought it was 'fun and a game'.

In defence Vanessa Francis said Lee was 'scared' he would go to prison for making the calls.

Miss Francis said his phone had been taken away so he was unable to make any further nuisance calls to the emergency services.

She said: "It's right to say none of these calls have been at all malicious. They have been quite childlike and made through boredom.

"His understanding of the world is quite childlike. He has been left to his own devices for long periods without stimulation or support."

Lee was also told to pay a �15 victim surcharge.