Man jailed for Selby rail crash hoax call
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A hoaxer who called emergency services claiming his partner was involved in the Selby rail crash was sentenced to five months in prison yesterday. However, Ian Farndon was being released from custody having already served nearly four months on remand.
Coventry Crown Court was told that Farndon's "joke" call resulted in more than 200 police hours being wasted.
The court heard that Farndon, 28, who was a heroin addict at the time of the crash, telephoned a casualty bureau in London after he saw television pictures of the rail disaster on 28 February this year.
Guy Spollon, for the prosecution, said Farndon falsely claimed to an operator that he dropped off his girlfriend at York railway station on the day of the disaster. Mr Spollon told the court: "Very, very detailed investigations were put in place by the police."
Farndon, of Willenhall, Coventry, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wasting police time between 28 February and 4 March.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments