An Angus woman was fined for wasting the time of 24 police officers in a fruitless search for a child, a court has heard.
Dawn Frances Robb, of Caledonian Road, Brechin, sparked a countywide panic after she reported that an unknown man had taken the child.
But after a number of police cars were scrambled, and more than £1,000 spent in resources, it turned out she had misled the force.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said 24 police officers, from the rank of constable up to inspector, were involved in the investigation.
She said the cost to the force was estimated at £1,052.
The 31-year-old’s defence agent Bob Bruce said the case had been continued for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.
Robb had tendered a guilty plea from custody.
“Mrs Robb has had a very bad and historic drink problem,” said Mr Bruce. “As you will see from the report, she has been faring better and has completed alcohol awareness tasks asked of her.”
He added: “There is one sole issue here, and that is alcohol.”
Visiting sheriff Marion MacDonald said she was minded to deal with the matter at the earliest opportunity.
“I’m taking into account the fact you haven’t come to the attention of the police in the period of deferment,” she said.
“Having said that, you obviously created a great deal of work and expense for the police force at that time.”
Robb was fined £175, having been placed on a low tariff structured deferred sentence on June 13, and was to be of good behaviour in the interim.
Robb admitted that at Caledonian Road on May 3, she falsely presented to two police officers that a child had been taken by an unknown man, the truth being that she knew who had taken the child and also knew their likely whereabouts.
She admitted causing officers of Police Scotland to devote time and service in the investigation of her allegations.
She further admitted rendering the male liable to suspicion and the accusation of abducting a child.
Chief Inspector Gordon Milne, Police Scotland Area Commander for Angus, said: “People need to be mindful that when police officers are attending and investigating malicious, false, or misleading calls, their services and presence are being diverted from other duties.
“This could easily expose other members of our community to increased danger.”