STEPHEN WAGER

MAN JAILED FOR HOAX CALL ABOUT ARMED GANG IN LIVERPOOL PUB

A convicted sex offender, Stephen Wager, has been jailed for six months for causing wasteful use of police resources and breaching a suspended sentence order.

Wager, of Manchester Row in Newton, dialled 999 on January 4 this year, falsely reporting an incident at the Newmarket pub on Market Street involving 'gang of men with guns'.

Police responded to the serious allegation but found no signs of threat or disturbance upon arrival.

Members of staff identified Wager as being present earlier that evening, and he was subsequently located at a nearby takeaway, Milano, where he was arrested.

Wager later admitted responsibility during police interviews, stating he had been drinking and intended to continue making hoax calls all night.

His criminal record includes 13 previous convictions for 25 offences, including a suspended sentence in May 2023 for persistent nuisance via public communications and an attempted sexual communications with a child in September 2023.

Joanne Maxwell, defending, highlighted his mental health struggles and needs for support, while the judge emphasized the seriousness of his false reports and previous breaches of orders.