A SECURITY officer who made a bomb hoax call and threatened to kill a painter was given a total of 24 months' jail on Wednesday.

John Shankaran Kunyikkanan, 30, pleaded guilty to the two charges. Another criminal intimidation charge was taken into consideration.

He called the police emergency hotline on March 21 saying that there was a bomb at Tekka market. He added that there was a murder there and to 'send the police here now'.

The court heard that police resources were despatched to the scene but nothing incriminating was found. The call was traced to his mother's pre-paid card and she confirmed that she shared the mobile phone with him.

On the other charge, Shankaran was at home last Dec 19 when he shouted at a painter on a gondala outside his Toa Payoh East flat that he would kill him if any paint dripped onto his window.

The frightened 26-year-old victim lowered the gondola and informed his superiors. Pleading for leniency, Shankaran said he was sorry. He said he was under the influence of liquor at the time of the offences.

District Judge Bala Reddy said a lot of resources were wasted as a result of his action. There was a need to impose a deterrent sentence not only to deter him but others from making such mischievous calls, said the judge.

Mr Shankaran could have been fined up to $50,000 or jailed for up to seven years or both for transmitting a false message.

Criminal intimidation carries a maximum penalty of seven years or more.