A WOMAN dialled 999 from her former home in Clydebank because she was struggling to cope with the breakdown of her relationship, a court has heard.

Elizabeth Tierney spent 35 minutes on the phone to a call handler last year but refused to say what the emergency was – prompting police to force entry to her flat in Stewart Street.

The 63-year-old appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing last week.

She had previously admitted calling 999 on April 12 last year “for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to members of the Police Service of Scotland”.

Alasdair Allan, prosecuting, told the court: “Police received information from their control room at 12.20pm that the accused was on the phone via the 999 system.

“She refused to give a reason to end the call and was being obstructive throughout.

“The call lasted for 35 minutes; police attended the accused’s home, and she opened the door on a chain.

“Officers eventually forced entry to the property and the accused was arrested.”

Stephen McGuire, solicitor, said: “At the time of this incident she was reacting to a very difficult relationship break-up. She was emotionally damaged, but also hit very hard financially.

“She felt there was an emergency that required to be addressed.

“I’ve listened to the call and I would say the handler demonstrates extreme patience.

“It’s not an appropriate use of the 999 system, and that is now accepted.

“Her view is that she was looking for help that day, and is looking for help now.”

Click here for all the latest news from Clydebank and the surrounding areas

Tierney, who now lives in Prince Albert Road in Glasgow, will be supervised by a social worker for nine months.