Mobile phone "pranksters" have been warned they face prosecution if they send a malicious voicemail which threatens to "knee cap" its victim.

The message is sent to mobile phone users and is deeply disturbing and abusive.

During the message he says he "knows where you live" and threatens to "knee cap" you.

Police have traced the source of the message but report that it is now being sent to mobile phones as a "joke".

One Register reader received the call at the weekend and was disturbed by the menacing nature of the call. Even though his service provider Orange confirmed that the call was a hoax, it has still left the victim uneasy.

According to Orange, the recording first surfaced some six months ago after being downloaded from the net.

Earlier this year police issued a warning about the message but it is still being sent.

Said Chief Superintendent Steve Ottaway of Hertfordshire Police: "We are aware of this message and know that the original recording is intended as a prank so anyone who receives something like this can be reassured that it is most likely meant to be regarded as a joke.

"However if you are sending someone this message you are committing a crime and could be traced and prosecuted," he said. ®

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