Teenager sentenced over hoax calls

The 17-year-old - who cannot be named for legal reasons - admitted making the calls in January and February last year.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard how, with others, he sent a range of goods and services to the teacher’s Melrose home.

The teenager was ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work in the community.

The court heard one call was made to a help line pretending to be the teacher, saying he felt suicidal.

The pupil was caught when a call to the fire service was listened to and his voice recognised. The caller had claimed the teacher was trapped in his home which was on fire.

Sheriff Peter Paterson had previously deferred sentence so the victim could be asked what effect the hoax telephone calls had had on his life.