Mother lied to police to cover for her son

Annette Tai "made a bad call" when she decided to lie to police about the identity of her son - who they were interviewing at the time.

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of hindering and obstructing police when she appeared before Judge Tony Walsh in the Masterton District Court yesterday.

The police summary states Tai's son was arrested by police and while being interviewed tried to pass himself off as his cousin. He said he wanted his aunty to be the nominated person with him during the interview but gave his mother's name to police.

She introduced herself to police as the boy's aunty and continued the ruse throughout the interview and processing of the teenager, police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said.

"It was then discovered that the youth in question had current warrants for his arrest," he told the court.

When challenged, Tai admitted she was the boy's mother and knew he had given false information to police but wanted him "to own up himself", Mr Wilson said.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said the obstruction was minimal and she had three children she was supporting on a benefit.

Judge Walsh said while she was trying to be loyal to her son, police had a job to do and shouldn't be obstructed in doing so.

"You made a bad call," he said. "What you did was obstruct the police."

The judge convicted and discharged Tai, ordering her to pay $130 court costs.