A nuisance 999 caller who became 'obsessed' with a paramedic risked the lives of others by repeatedly calling out ambulances and refusing treatment.

Katie May Bunting, of Viking Close, Gorleston, made hundreds of calls to emergency services since December 2016, and wrote a novel about one of the paramedics who responded.

Between December 2016 and December 2017, the 51-year-old made 133 calls, with ambulances responding on 46 occasions, with a further 147 calls since December 2017.

Jen Walker, prosecuting, said: 'Since the services have tried to support her, the volume of calls has increased.

'She became obsessed with a paramedic who attended and she sent a letter to the service about him, where she described him as a father figure, as well as writing a novel about him and a 40-song love CD.

'He had to be spoken to to make sure nothing inappropriate was going on with a vulnerable woman.

'Those calls could have prevented an ambulance getting to a member of the public and stop them receiving potentially life-saving treatment.

'She understands what she was doing but she says many of these calls are for genuine medical emergencies and that was her way of reaching out for help.

'She told police she was in a bad place and was not getting the support to address her behaviour.'

Appearing at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Bunting was sentenced for sending false messages between December 6, 2016, and June 12, 2018, and causing false messages to be sent between May 12 and 21.

She was also charged with sending a letter conveying a threatening message between June 24 and 25.

Ms Walker said: 'Her neighbour had been trying to help but now keeps her distance because she got a letter from Bunting which caused her concern for her one-year-old son.

'The letter said 'You don't need to worry that I may end up attacking him with a knife or an axe because it is unlikely to happen.''

On August 8, Bunting assaulted a police officer by punching her in the head.

Bunting, who repeatedly asked to go to prison during the hearing, had denied assaulting a police officer, but was convicted following a trial on October 1.

She told the court: 'None of it is true. I was trying to get help and every one of those calls were genuine. No one is helping me and no one wants to know.

'I want to move on from this.

'I was defending myself and did not assault anyone.

'The public are not at risk. It is just me. I would not hurt anyone.'

Magistrates made a five-year criminal behaviour order banning Bunting from contacting police, ambulance service, James Paget Hosptial, and Norwich and Norfolk NHS Foundation Trust, except in an emergency.

In emergencies, she must not refuse treatment, and also must not use foul, abusive or offensive language to members of the emergency service or act in an anti-social manner.

Bunting was fined £800 for the offences, ordered to pay compensation of £200 to the police officer and £100 to her neighbour, as well as court costs of £85.

A two-year restraining order was also made banning her from contacting her neighbour.