Muhammed Khan: man fronts court over alleged ‘vexatious’ triple-0 calls

A man has faced court after calling triple-0 more than ten times in one afternoon.

A man has faced the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly making 12 phone calls to triple-0 during one afternoon.

Muhammed Khan, 50, appeared at court via video link on Monday charged with the improper use of an emergency call service.

Mr Khan did not make a plea and was released on bail by Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker which was not opposed by the prosecution.

Speaking through an Urdu translator Mr Khan said he was new to the country and did not know 000 was for emergencies only.

Defence lawyer Edward Chen from ACT Legal Aid told the court Mr Khan’s actions “appear to just be a misunderstanding”.

According to the Statement of Facts tendered to the court, Mr Khan called triple-0 12 times between 3.24pm and 4.59pm on March 6.

During his first phone call, Mr Khan complained about parking conditions outside his house.

At 3.42pm he called to complain about people talking loudly outside his property.

Shortly after, at 3.45pm, he called again to report people were having a barbecue outside his house.

After calling triple-0 at 3.49pm police allege an operator warned Mr Khan calling the number without an actual emergency is a crime.

Muhammed Khan has faced court after allegedly calling triple-0 12 times in one afternoon.

“I am putting a job on the system for police to attend your residence and possibly arrest you because you are nuisance calling,” the operator allegedly said.

Despite receiving this stern warning Mr Khan allegedly continued to call repeatedly.

During a phone call at 4.16pm an operator told the alleged nuisance caller he had called triple-0 ten times.

Police allege Mr Khan said words to the effect of “I have called ten times because I am joking”.

Police arrived at the defendant’s residence and arrested him just after 5:30pm that same afternoon, and was transported to the ACT Watch House.

The statement of facts allege Mr Khan was intoxicated at the time of arrest.

Police allege the 12 phone calls to triple-0 amounted to 12 minutes and 48 seconds of time.

Officers have described the nature of Mr Khan’s calls as “vexatious”.

If convicted Mr Khan could face up to three years in jail for his alleged nuisance calls.

He will appear in court again later this month.