A TEENAGER phoned a mental health worker’s employer and falsely claimed she had used drugs while babysitting for him.

Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard Zachary Joseph Lewis, 18, of West End, Magor, made threats to the woman via e-mail on April 20 following an incident at a party.

He wrote: “You think you are funny going to the police, just remember we are meant to be mates. You want to play like that so can we.”

Days later, on April 23, he phoned Mencap in Chepstow, where the unnamed woman works as a carer, and falsely told them he found her passed out with white powder around her nose when she was supposed to be looking after his child.

He refused to give his name but said he was concerned about her ability to care for vulnerable people.

The court heard that this type of behaviour was out of character for the woman so staff did not mention it to her but told a manager.

The next day the woman came into work and told colleagues about an incident at a party involving Lewis, and the anonymous phone call was brought up.

Police were called and Lewis, who works as a machine operator, was arrested.

He admitted one charge of sending a false message by public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety, at Friday’s hearing.

His defence counsel said he was remorseful for what he had done, he knewthis type of behaviour could not continue and it was a one-off.

But he said that while the contents of the phone call were made up, Lewis did have genuine concerns that the woman was using drugs and felt she should not be working with vulnerable adults.

Lewis was given a community order and must carry out 50 hours’ unpaid work.