A man repeatedly phoned police threatening he had knives and a gun and was going to “kill a Muslim,” a court heard.

Clive Reader, 46, who has teardrops tattooed on his right cheek, made a series of 999 calls to Essex Police on May 31.

Dartford magistrates heard he also spoke of “doing a Muslim over” and swore at the operator. Reader, of Ingoldsby Road, Gravesend, admitted persistently making use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.

The court heard this was an alternative offence to the original charge of making 999 calls citing religious violence, namely to use weapons to kill Muslims, that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

Reader was sentenced to a two-year conditional discharge after his solicitor, Gurnam Mander, described his behaviour as that of a “drunken man” lashing out upon hearing his father had died.

Reader, who receives £180 a fortnight in benefits, was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15. After he apologised to the court for not having any money it was agreed that the money would be added to his existing fines.

Prosecutor Matthew Quantrill said that Reader identified himself to police during the calls made at 10.15pm.

“He said he had knives and a gun and was going out to kill a Muslim.”
At this point in the hearing Reader, who has previous convictions for assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly, stood up in the dock to protest that he did not in fact have any weapons.

Mr Quantrill continued: “He also made reference to ‘doing a Muslim over’.” He added that Reader then swore. Police went to his home, which he shares with his son, and found Reader intoxicated and asleep on his sofa.
The court heard he told police following his arrest: “I will kill myself when I get out of here and I’m going to take a Muslim with me.”

The prosecutor added that Reader later admitted saying he had knives and issuing the threat but could not recall saying he had a gun. “He said he had no intention of carrying out the threats. He had just found out his father had died a month previously and his family had not told him.

“He had been drinking vodka and made the call because he was angry and wanted to lash out.”

The calls were made nine days after the alleged murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south east London but no connection was made in court between the soldier’s death and Reader’s behaviour.