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Nuisance caller jailed
Friday October 10th 2008. Posted: 11:31
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The calls were made from BT payphones
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A joint BT and police operation to catch a man who made sexually abusive calls to more than 100 victims has resulted in a four-year jail sentence.
Ian Parry, 48, of Pennine Road, Bacup in Lancashire, was caught with the help of BT Group security investigations and the company’s nuisance call bureau. His year-long campaign of calls - made from BT payphones across the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire - included threats of kidnap and rape. The effect on his victims - mostly women - was deemed so bad, the father of three was charged with causing actual bodily harm rather than the more usual charge of making malicious phone calls. He admitted eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and had previously asked for 97 offences under the Telecommunications Act to be considered, with two counts remaining on file. Despite a lengthy investigation by BT’s nuisance call bureau, Parry’s use of different payphones over a wide geographical area made him difficult to catch. He was eventually caught in the act of making a call to one of his victims after a concerted effort by BT investigation manager Peter Killick, working closely with Lancashire police. Peter’s enquiries revealed that, although the police had around 90 victims who had formally registered receiving such calls, there were potentially hundreds more that had failed to report the crime. In August 2007, Peter built an operation in conjunction with Lancashire Police and the valley was flooded with police officers, waiting for Parry to call his latest victim. When he did, Peter was able to direct the police to the scene who made an arrest as a call was in progress. “This is the worst case of its kind I’ve ever known and I’m delighted with the result,” said Peter. "BT Group security investigations will always treat crimes of this nature very seriously. We have the tools and expertise to work effectively with the police and this case has highlighted how effective that partnership can be. “This man was potentially very dangerous to society and I am pleased that the sentence passed reflects this.” BT nuisance call bureau manager Kay Jessop said the bureau had never before been involved with such a case - in terms of the severity and type of calls, or the number of victims. “The caller left victims traumatised and terrified with his evil threats,” she said. “He knew specific details that made his threats all the more believable. “The calculated way he gathered information and travelled to different areas to make the calls from payphones resulted in a prolonged reign of terror to victims of all ages.”
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Last updated:
12:55