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A 48-year-old orchard worker has been sentenced to 75 hours community work after calling police to complain he was being raped by a wombat.
Arthur Ross Cradock, of Motueka, called police on February 11 and informed them the rape was taking place at his house and he required assistance, The Nelson Mail reported.
He later called back asking to retract the claim.
"Apart from speaking Australian now, I'm pretty all right you know," he told the operator.
Cradock pleaded guilty in Nelson District Court to using a phone for a fictitious purpose.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer told the court alcohol played a large role in Cradock's life.
- NZPA
