A MAN who is in prison for fraud and theft has been convicted of a third offence.

Stuart Anthony Barrow, 32, of Bankside, Distington, appeared by video link at the magistrates court in Carlisle yesterday. He admitted sending a false message by a public communications network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another.

The court heard he rang the emergency services seven times on March 30 and and said he felt suicidal.

Defence lawyer Lauren Heasley said: "He had 18 cans of Stella. He had been put out by his girlfriend and had nowhere to stay. He behaved in a way he now regrets and he apologises for his actions." She said he suffers from split personality disorder and ADHD.

He was given a 24-week prison sentence on April 1 for theft and fraud offences committed on the same date. For this offence he received a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay a £20 victim surcharge.