A man who invented an armed robbery has avoided having to pay £10,000 in compensation as he does not have the money.
Bobby Smith, 21, of Gourdie Road, was told he should have been ordered to pay the compensation to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland but will not have to because it would take him “decades” to pay it off.
Smith also dodged a jail term after he rang 999 and claimed he had been attacked by two robbers near an underpass in Dundee.
Police officers raced to the scene to take his statement with three units being sent to patrol the area and the police dog team being sent to sniff out the assailants.
Smith then told police that two men wielding weapons had “jumped” him and demanded his belongings. But when asked to clarify some points in his tale, Smith broke down and admitted he had made it all up.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court: “At 8.45pm on January 3 the accused telephoned 999 and reported having been robbed by two males in possession of a weapon.
“He thereafter provided a more detailed explanation and police officers attended within five minutes.
“Several units were deployed, including the police dog unit in order to track the males described. While police noted his statement they noticed he was avoiding eye contact and looked agitated.
“When he was asked to clarify a point he admitted he had been lying and admitted the whole thing had been fabricated.”
Smith pleaded guilty to wasting police time.
Defence solicitor John Hall said: “He and his girlfriend had been assaulted by a group of up to 20 youths and he was dissatisfied with the police response.
“He understands what he has done and he doesn’t seek to excuse his behaviour. It’s not lost on him the cost to the public purse.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown said: “The cost must have been significant there would be an argument for making a compensation order in favour of the chief constable for up to £10,000.”
Mr Hall replied: “That’s right but it would take years, if not decades for that to be satisfied.”
Sheriff Brown placed Smith on a community payback order with one year’s supervision and 130 hours of community service.
He said: “This was particularly stupid. In terms of the cost to the public I don’t know, but I’d expect the cost of several police units for the best part of an hour would be several thousand pounds.
“If you had the money I’d make a compensation order.”