A WOMAN who made hundreds of nuisance 999 calls and assaulted paramedics has been jailed. 

Louise Hathaway made hundreds of 999 calls in the periods between October 16, 2019, and October 31, 2019, and March 31, 2020, and May 27, 2020.

The court heard how the 47-year-old - who has a history in harassing 999 call handlers stemming back to at least 2009 - repeatedly breached a criminal behaviour order, given to her by magistrates on May 31 2019, prohibiting her from calling 101 or 999 unless in an emergency.

The three-year order, which expires in 2022, also prohibited Hathaway from possessing a mobile phone.

The court was told how these were not emergency calls and Hathaway was often abusive to call handlers.

On March 25, 2019, paramedics were called to an address on Nettlecombe Avenue, Portsmouth at 1.23pm following a concern for welfare where they were assaulted by Hathaway. 

Once in attendance, Hathaway was verbally abusive and assaulted one of the paramedics by hitting him on the arm. He was not seriously injured.

The second occurrence took place on December 12 2019, when an officer responding to a fraudulent call was spat at by Hathaway.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court, she pleaded guilty to the assaults and admitted 65 counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Hathaway, of Hampage Green, Havant, was committed to prison for 30 months. 

In 2010, the Daily Echo reported that Hathaway - who previously lived in Southampton - admitted six charges of calling the emergency services for a non-legitimate reason, contrary to the Telecommunications Act.

In 2015, it was reported that Hathaway repeatedly called operators and talked about what her favourite meals were along with other personal issues during the 132 calls to the emergency line over the course of a month.

She appeared before magistrates to admit the fresh charge of sending by public communication network a false message to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety, in doing so admitted she had breached the suspended sentence.