Dunblane hoaxer on probation (From Penarth Times)

Dunblane hoaxer on probation

A HOAXER from Sully, who rang Dunblane Primary School and pretended to be the gunman who massacred 16 children and their teacher, escaped a jail term yesterday.

Robert Pritchard, 37, of Arlington Road, had earlier pleaded guilty at Stirling Sheriff Court to making a "grossly offensive" menacing phone call.

He made the claim on March 2, 2004, days before the anniversary of the shootings on March 13, 1996, when Thomas Hamilton shot dead the children and their teacher before turning the gun on himself.

Pritchard made the call to school receptionist Jean Grant from his own home. He told her his name was Thomas Hamilton, claiming he would be moving to Dun-blane on March 13 last year - the eighth anniversary of the massacre. When police traced Pritchard, he admitted he made the call, insisting it was a "wind-up".

Sheriff Wyllie Robertson placed Pritchard on two years' probation, with the order to be transferred to the Barry Magistrates' Court.

Pritchard was warned breaking the terms of the order or committing another offence would lead to jail.