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Woman sentenced for baby hoaxes Woman sentenced for baby hoaxes
(about 2 hours later)
A mother-of-four who made hoax calls to maternity units and "all" police forces has been placed under supervision.A mother-of-four who made hoax calls to maternity units and "all" police forces has been placed under supervision.
Rachel Marsh, 28, from Rhyl, lived in a "fantasy world," telling authorities she was 14 and in labour and had been raped by her stepfather, a court heard. Rachel Marsh, 28, lived in a "fantasy world," telling authorities she was 14 and in labour and had been raped by her stepfather, Chester magistrates heard.
She spent thousands on hoax calls and texts, even sending one from a custody suite while waiting to be interviewed by police, Chester magistrates heard. Marsh, of Rhyl, Denbighshire, spent thousands on hoax calls and texts, even sending one from a custody suite while waiting to be interviewed by police.
Marsh admitted wasting police time and two harassment charges.Marsh admitted wasting police time and two harassment charges.
The court said, had caused "considerable disruption to police and hospitals". but the cost of hundreds of wasted police hours was unknown.The court said, had caused "considerable disruption to police and hospitals". but the cost of hundreds of wasted police hours was unknown.
Single mother Marsh, who is now 28 weeks pregnant, texted a midwife in Cheshire in February 2007 to say she was a 14-year-old in labour. Single mother Marsh, who is nw 28 weeks pregnant, texted a midwife in Cheshire in February 2007 to say she was a 14-year-old in labour.
She later sent messages claiming the baby was a result of her stepfather raping her, and that he had "snatched" the baby and intended to throw it in a canal.She later sent messages claiming the baby was a result of her stepfather raping her, and that he had "snatched" the baby and intended to throw it in a canal.
Padded brasPadded bras
The court heard at least eight police officers were trying to locate her.The court heard at least eight police officers were trying to locate her.
Sometime later, Cheshire Police discovered she had been making similar calls in north Wales.Sometime later, Cheshire Police discovered she had been making similar calls in north Wales.
Marsh was arrested in February and, while awaiting interview, was still sending hoax messages from the custody suite.Marsh was arrested in February and, while awaiting interview, was still sending hoax messages from the custody suite.
She was searched and was found to be wearing two padded bras, a swimsuit and had used a blanket to give the appearance she was pregnant.She was searched and was found to be wearing two padded bras, a swimsuit and had used a blanket to give the appearance she was pregnant.
Police also discovered three sim cards, the court heard.Police also discovered three sim cards, the court heard.
Prosecutor Anne Rouse said:"During interview she admitted making thousands of calls over nine months to maternity units in England and Wales and contacted all forces reporting to be a 14-year-old girl in labour having been raped by her stepfather."Prosecutor Anne Rouse said:"During interview she admitted making thousands of calls over nine months to maternity units in England and Wales and contacted all forces reporting to be a 14-year-old girl in labour having been raped by her stepfather."
'Fictitious matter''Fictitious matter'
She added:"She would state she was bleeding heavily, stating that the baby had been snatched."She added:"She would state she was bleeding heavily, stating that the baby had been snatched."
Ms Rouse read a victim statement from a midwife in Bangor whom Marsh had contacted. It read: "The episode was in my mind for a couple of weeks. It's since bothered me that someone can waste my time with a fictitious matter when my time and that of others could be used for a genuine need."Ms Rouse read a victim statement from a midwife in Bangor whom Marsh had contacted. It read: "The episode was in my mind for a couple of weeks. It's since bothered me that someone can waste my time with a fictitious matter when my time and that of others could be used for a genuine need."
Another victim told how they were "concerned that someone was going to find a young girl dead".Another victim told how they were "concerned that someone was going to find a young girl dead".
Ms Rouse said one police officer alone spent 350 hours investigating and other officers had spent more than 500 hours.Ms Rouse said one police officer alone spent 350 hours investigating and other officers had spent more than 500 hours.
She added:"The cost of this investigation is in fact unknown. It's believed this lady spent thousands making calls."She added:"The cost of this investigation is in fact unknown. It's believed this lady spent thousands making calls."
'Fantasy world''Fantasy world'
Defending, Elen Parry said the offences had taken place over a shorter period than nine months.Defending, Elen Parry said the offences had taken place over a shorter period than nine months.
She said Marsh had sought attention and had "got immersed in a fantasy world".She said Marsh had sought attention and had "got immersed in a fantasy world".
Marsh had claimed to be making the hoaxes with a 16-year-old girl, he said.Marsh had claimed to be making the hoaxes with a 16-year-old girl, he said.
She said Marsh's "infantile" and "stupid" behaviour may have been triggered by problems in childhood and her grandfather's death in 2006.She said Marsh's "infantile" and "stupid" behaviour may have been triggered by problems in childhood and her grandfather's death in 2006.
Magistrates sentenced her to a three-year supervision order and imposed a three-month nighttime curfew She was also ordered to pay £300 costs.Magistrates sentenced her to a three-year supervision order and imposed a three-month nighttime curfew She was also ordered to pay £300 costs.
Magistrates' chair Patricia Bogunovic said the sentence had been reduced because of Marsh's guilty plea.Magistrates' chair Patricia Bogunovic said the sentence had been reduced because of Marsh's guilty plea.
She said the hoaxes had caused "considerable distress to the police and hospital services".She said the hoaxes had caused "considerable distress to the police and hospital services".
She added:"We would hope that when you are having your baby, you are not disrupted by hoax calls from any other source."She added:"We would hope that when you are having your baby, you are not disrupted by hoax calls from any other source."