Police have last laugh on fake caller

A motorist who tried to divert police by reporting a fake accident after he was stopped for a traffic infringement has been fined $1350 and police hope his story will serve as a deterrent to others.

Waikato Road Policing Manager Inspector Leo Tooman said Jevon Edwards, 30, Ngaruawahia, was pulled over north of Hamilton last month.

"It turned out Edwards was in breach of his learner licence conditions and came up with the brain wave of diverting staff by dialling 111 without giving any thought to where those calls go."

The officer who pulled him over suspected he was giving false details and took him back to the station.

By this time three police cars, two fire engines and an ambulance had been dispatched to the "accident scene".

Mr Tooman said a second officer at the station rang back the caller who had reported the bogus crash and was surprised to hear his cellphone phone ringing nearby.

Edwards appeared in Hamilton District Court last week and was ordered to pay the $1350 as reparations.

"Now it's all over we can probably afford a chuckle but the reality is he caused a huge waste of resources and we hope this penalty acts as a deterrent to others," Mr Tooman said.

- NZPA