A “GIFTED” man who told police there were bombs in Oxford’s Bodleian Library has been jailed.

Steven Thomas, left, called police from a telephone box in Cowley Road and told them to evacuate the world-famous library.

The 34-year-old, who had alcohol and drug problems, later claimed the hoax, on November 24, was a cry for help.

Clare Tucker, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court, said: “He said: ‘There are some incendiary devices set up in the Bodleian Library at the moment’.”

Officials did not evacuate the building and when police traced the call they found Thomas still in the phone box, 20 minutes later.

Miss Tucker added: “His speech was slurred, he was unsteady on his feet and the officer could smell intoxicating liquor.”

Thomas said he had been suffering paranoid delusions and voices in his head were telling him to get in trouble so he could be treated harshly.

Thomas, of Awgar Stone Road, in Wood Farm, Oxford, admitted communicating false information with intent.

Lucy Tapper, prosecuting, said: “The call seems to have been ill thought through and not really a genuine attempt.

“He is someone who is academically gifted and musically gifted.”

Jailing Thomas for eight months, Mr Recorder Guy Hungerford said: “This kind of thing can only add to the public’s anxiety.”