Man fined over Bolton kidnapping 'ruse'
A man who sparked a police search after telling his girlfriend he had been kidnapped was later found at a house party.
The 32-year-old had claimed he was being held against his will at a house in Bolton and would not be allowed home until he had paid a £50 debt.
His girlfriend called police on Friday and officers tracked his phone to Shurmer Street where they found him.
He was fined for wasting police time.
Police said he had told officers the kidnap story was a "ruse".
A man was initially arrested on suspicion of kidnap but was later released without charge.
Det Insp Jo Clawson said: "The man's girlfriend was absolutely beside herself with worry and genuinely concerned that he would come to harm.
"Considerable resources and time then went into finding this man, who it transpires made the entire thing up so he could stay out and party."
More than a dozen officers helped look for him, using CCTV footage and carrying out house-to-house inquiries.
"Significant resources were taken off the front line on a Friday night, which is without exception one of the busiest times of the week," Det Insp Clawson added.
"He is fortunate not to have been charged.
"We feel we have wasted enough time and resources on him already and not only has he been fined, this matter will be recorded as a criminal conviction on his record," she said