A nursery school educator who made a hoax 999 call that led to a major search operation on a Scottish loch has avoided jail. Clair Frost, 35, triggered the false alarm from a landline at Killin Nursery School, Perthshire. She claimed to have spotted an overturned kayak at the “head of the lock” at Loch Tay, mispronouncing the term loch. This call prompted a significant response, with police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and even a helicopter dispatched to the scene. The emergency services undertook a thorough search, including checking nearby lay-bys and accommodations.
The search operation, which lasted six hours, involved multiple resources and personnel. Frost’s husband, a firefighter, was also engaged in the search. However, it was later discovered that the call was a hoax. Despite initially denying making the call, Frost was identified by her colleagues and a police officer who recognized her distinctive voice. She was found guilty of making a false call to emergency services, a violation of the 2005 Fire (Scotland) Act.
Appearing in court, Frost maintained her innocence but accepted the conviction. Her defence lawyer highlighted that she was now experiencing anxiety and was on sick leave from work. Previously facing a possible jail sentence, Frost was fined £1,040 by Sheriff Clair McLachlan. The sheriff emphasised the seriousness of the offence, considering its impact on public funds and safety.
During the trial, it was revealed that the call originated from a phone in a nappy-changing room at the nursery. Initially, the police suspected a child to be responsible, but it was later confirmed to be a hoax call. Detective Constable Gavin Dingwall expressed confusion over Frost’s motives for the hoax. The court proceedings detailed how Frost’s voice was recognized by colleagues and linked to the false call.
Despite the distress caused by the hoax call and the subsequent search operation, Frost managed to avoid a custodial sentence. Instead, she was ordered to pay a fine over a gradual period. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of making false emergency calls and the resources wasted in responding to such incidents.