A 48-year-old man who made two false allegations of robbery and theft has been found guilty of wasting police time.

Leroy Watson, of Brigstock Road, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates Court on December 22 and was ordered to pay £150 in compensation.

Watson first contacted police on June 26 saying he had been robbed at knife point of his mobile phone.

Officers' suspicions were instantly raised, as it had taken him over four days to come forward to report the loss.

Watson called police in September to report the same mobile phone had been stolen by two men who snatched it from him in the street.

He was arrested on September 19 on suspicions of perverting the course of justice and was charged on November 24.

Detective Constable Grant Gable said: "Any allegation that is believed to be false will be robustly investigated and if proven, could result in a criminal record.

"False reports such as these not only tie up emergency lines but waste valuable investigative resources when they should be used on genuine victims."