Bryan Kyle, of Williamson Street, Halifax, made the call from a public phone box just 100 yards from a police station.

Calderdale Magistrates Court heard how Kyle made the call so he could see a Green Goddess.

He was jailed after pleading guilty to sending a false telecom message to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, contrary to the Telecommunications Act 1984.

Fire claims

Patrick Fleming, prosecuting, told the court that Kyle phoned 999 at 0026 GMT on 14 November 2002 - the first day of the fire strike.

Mr Fleming said: "It (the call) was diverted from the 999 switchboard directly to a police force call centre at Wakefield."

The court was told that Kyle claimed there was an upstairs bedroom on fire at an address in William Street in Halifax.

But the police constable believed Kyle had been drinking because his abusive manner - at one stage he threatened to burn down the constable's house.

No recollection

Mr Fleming said he kept Kyle talking until another officer arrived at the public payphone in Richmond Close, Halifax - just 100 yards away from a police station.

"It became apparent he was very much worse for drink," said Mr Fleming.

The court was told that Kyle claimed he had no recollection of the incident when he was interviewed in the morning.

He said he had been drinking cider and vodka the previous night.