A man was arrested in Wales after calling out mountain rescuers three times in the last four months.

Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was mobilised in October, December and finally last week to rescue the 46-year-old, who has not been named.

He was arrested shortly before midnight last Friday on suspicion of causing a public nuisance, but subsequently released without charge. His arrest followed a call to the emergency services just before 5pm. A search was called off at 8.25pm without finding him.

In December, he was located by the MRT using the sound of a search helicopter through his mobile phone as the aircraft made repeated passes.

John Bushell, of the Vivian Diving Centre, Llanberis, said the cost of calling out the teams must have cost thousands of pounds. He said: “This man is putting both his life and other people’s lives at risk by calling the emergency services out like this.”

Ian Henderson, secretary of the Llanberis MRT, said Friday’s search involved 23 team members of the voluntary organisation. 19 took part in the December operation, along with RAF personnel and search and rescue dogs.

Related story: Snowdon rescuers use phone to find walker