A SECURITY worker told police he was armed and bombs had been planted across Colchester during a hoax IRA terror threat.

Ross Frame, 38, called police to warn them there were up to 15 bombs planted around the town, including Colchester Garrison.

During the hoax, Frame, who gave his name to police as Michael Murphy, also spoke in an Irish accent and told the 999 call handler she had “ten seconds to comply” with his demands, Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard.

Emma Howson, prosecuting, said Frame, of South Street, Colchester, requested police cars to be sent to North Station Road and St John’s Green, to show his threat was being taken seriously.

She added: “He became very serious and very abusive to the female call handler. He claimed he had three guns and was in an area where girls and boys were playing.”

Frame ended the call by giving a warning and counting down from five to zero.

Police initially took the call, made shortly after 6.20am on February 2, seriously, but soon realised Frame was calling from a number used to report a domestic incident months before.

Officers then tracked him down at his home where he was arrested. When Frame, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was played a recording of the call, he was “horrified” and immediately apologised.

Matthew Swash, mitigating, said Frame rarely drinks alcohol, but when he does, it does not mix well with his medication.

Frame admitted one charge of communicating false information on Friday, November 22, and will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in December.