A GAMBLER who lost nearly £500 at the bookies and then lied about it being taken in a gunpoint robbery has pleaded guilty to wasting police time.
Anthony Chelliah claimed the cash had been stolen from him in a gunpoint robbery in Northolt Road, South Harrow, on November 10, leading police on a wild goose chase.
Officers were immediately assigned to the scene and due to the seriousness of the allegation, a police helicopter, a specialist firearms team and a police dog section were deployed to carry out a comprehensive search of the area.
The 20-year-old of Scarsdale Road, Harrow, even gave officers a description of the three 'suspects' and was driven around the area to try and identify them.
Later that day Chelliah finally admitted to officers that he had lost the entire £460 playing a roulette machine in Paddy Power bookmakers and that he had made up the false robbery story because he did not want to get into trouble with his mum.
As a result he was hauled in front of Brent Magistrates' today (Wednesday, November 23) where he pleaded guilty to wasting police time. He will be sentenced on December 2.
Speaking about the offence acting Police Sergeant Tony McGovern, of Harrow Crime Squad, said: "Chelliah lied to police because he couldn't face telling his mother that he had gambled his money away. This was an extremely serious allegation which turned out to be a blatant waste of police time and taxpayers' money.
"Whilst we act upon all allegations of crime, it is crucial that we direct our specialist resources and expertise to true victims of crime."
