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An American man has received a one-year prison sentence for orchestrating a series of hoax emergency calls that sent shockwaves across the UK. David Hart, 22, made a staggering 95 calls to the 999 emergency line, threatening to set off bombs at various locations, including hospitals, which led to widespread alarm and chaos.
One particularly alarming call involved a threat to a prominent London hospital, where Hart chillingly warned: “I’ve put a bomb in your corridor bathroom. You have exactly 12 seconds to get out of that building.” This call, like many others, triggered swift responses from authorities.
The Metropolitan Police in London, tasked with responding to these false alarms, emphasized the seriousness of the situation. Officers were dispatched immediately, treating each threat as credible until proven otherwise. Although these threats were ultimately revealed to be malicious hoaxes, they nonetheless incited significant panic among the public, hospital staff, and various venues.
In a statement, London’s Metropolitan Police said officers responded quickly to the false alarms.
“What were believed to be real bombs turned out to be malicious hoaxes, but caused panic among venues, staff and the public.
“False threats are not a prank, they threaten lives and carry serious consequences.”
Hart was prosecuted following a joint investigation by US and British law enforcement agencies.
Footage of Hart being questioned by US authorities shows he initially denied making any threats.
“I made a lot of stupid prank calls .. but nothing threatening,” he said.
On Tuesday he was sentenced to 12 months’ jail by a New York court.