A chef has been given a custodial sentence for wasting police time for falsely claiming he had killed a man. Southern Derbyshire Magistrates heard Timothy Crofts, 20, of Wilson Street, Derby, believed he fought the man and pushed him into the River Derwent.
A police search was launched and 359 hours of police time was wasted before Crofts revealed he had been "dreaming". He was sentenced to five months in a young offenders institution, half in custody, half in the community.
Crofts told friends he had drunkenly shoved a homeless man called Martin into the River Derwent. Derbyshire Police alone used 359 police hours on New Year's Day at double time, costing the force £11,930.33. But after a series of interviews with police Crofts admitted it had never happened.
Prosecuting, Helen Griffiths said: "It was during the final interview that Mr Crofts told police officers that everything he said had been a dream. However, this was not before a rather large-scale search had begun."
Sentencing Crofts, District Judge Caroline Goldbourn said: "We have got three emergency services out at an astronomical expense. If people think they can do this and not go to prison then they are mistaken. I also take the view that this was attention-seeking on your part."
As Crofts was escorted from the dock he turned to the public gallery and said: "I'm sorry, Mum."
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