A PROLIFIC hoaxer told police he had planted a bomb on a bus in Twickenham due to go off, Richmond Magistrates' Court heard.

Gary Paget, 43, of Sunnyside Road, Teddington phoned police after the London bombings and said: "I am going to bomb the 281. I am going to do it," said prosecutor Mrs Russell.

He then phoned Fulwell Bus Station and said there would be a bomb planted on the 281. Five minutes later Paget phoned Transport for London and told them there would be a sack on the 281 that will go off at 8.45am in Twickenham, the court heard last week. TfL asked him what colour the sack was and he said 'sorry' and hung up the phone. Police tracked down the call and went to Paget's house. They asked him why he had done it and Paget replied: "I am sorry am I in trouble now."

Paget, who has phoned police 23 times this year and 50 times last year with various hoaxes, pleaded guilty to the bomb hoax and communicating false information.

Speaking in defence solicitor, Miss Kaur, said Paget had mental health problems and suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

He had been involved in a bad attack a couple of years ago and didn't believe the police were doing enough to protect him so had a vendetta against them.

Speaking for himself Paget said: "I am obviously very sorry and distressed. I was merely trying to attract police attention following a court case when I was severely beaten up."

The magistrates mentioned that this was sensitive in the present climate of fear. Sentencing will take place at the crown court and Paget was remanded in custody.

A police spokesperson said: "Mr Paget's actions by targeting the emergency services and part of London's transport system on a day exactly one week after the atrocities in central London not only caused potential disruption and inconvenience but showed a callous disregard for those deeply affected by events, struggling to overcome fear, and return to normal everyday living.

"The selfish actions of this man undermined the efforts of the rest of the community to show that they would not be beaten by terrorism."