A WOMAN who made hundreds of nuisance calls to police has been spared a jail sentence, a court heard.

Louise Hathaway called up Hampshire and Sussex police without reason numerous times over the last four years under the influence of alcohol, the court was told.

Judge Peter Ralls QC said he was pleased with her progress since he had deferred the sentence for four months after she became pregnant and gave her a conditional discharge of 12 months.

In the most recent charge, Hathaway, of Verulam Road, Southampton made 76 calls on the 999 network between 1.30am and 6am on October 22 last year, Southampton Crown Court was told.

She admitted calling the emergency services for a non-legitimate reason, contrary to the Telecommunications Act.

The 37-year-old admitted four counts of breach of an antisocial behaviour order, which has since expired on January 9.

The court has heard in a previous hearing how the calls included hurling abuse, proposing marriage or wanting to discuss her private life.

Hathaway has been attending meetings with a psychiatrist and a probation officer, the court was told.

Jeffrey Norrie-Miller, mitigating, said Hathaway had an opportunity to address the issues that had brought her to the point of extensive alcohol abuse.

“Miss Hathaway has demonstrated her total commitment to turning her life around,” he said.

He said Hathaway was no longer using alcohol, and expecting a child had a major impact in her recognising her responsibilities.