HOAX caller Gareth Filer told police he had planted a bomb in Chippenham as a cry for help, a court heard.

Filer, who was said to have behavioural problems, appeared at North Wiltshire Magistrates Court on Monday and admitted communicating false information alleging the presence of bombs.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, said Filer, 29, rang 999 on February 1 and repeatedly apologised for bothering the police operator. When the operator asked Filer what he wanted he said he had planted a bomb in Allington Way, which would explode in ten minutes.

Mrs Hewitt said the police operator asked Filer, who lives in a residential home in Stroud, why he had done it, and he replied 'I love doing it'. He then hung up.

The police traced the call to a mobile telephone, which their log showed had called them before.

Filer was arrested on March 6 and he admitted making the call. He told police he had an argument with his father on February 1, which left him upset.

Mrs Hewitt said Filer decided to tell the police he had planted a bomb to get them to go to the area where his father lives.

The court heard the police treated the call as a hoax from the outset and felt that it did not appear to be malicious, but was more of a cry for help.

Simon James, defending, said Filer had learning difficulties and behavioural problems. As a result of the condition, Filer sometimes damaged his property, blamed others for things he had done and made crank calls.

Mr James said that before Filer moved to Stroud he lived in a residential home in Bristol for nine years. He said Avon Fire Brigade had received calls from Filer when he lived in Bristol and had got to know him and tried to help him.

The magistrates gave Filer an 18-month conditional discharge.