A Wanganui man cannot remember calling police to falsely report he had shot someone three times.
Grant Michael Cunningham appeared yesterday in the Whanganui District Court where he pleaded guilty to a criminal nuisance charge.
The court heard that on July 29 Cunningham was drinking at his home in Victoria Ave and had become intoxicated.
He made a phone call to police, making claims he had shot someone three times and had several firearms in his possession, Police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen told the court.
Four armed police, including a dog handler, had responded to his call, given the possible threat to public safety.
"The defendant was located home alone at the address," Ms Willemsen said. "No firearms were located at the address ... nobody had been shot.
"The defendant said that he had 800 guns and he wanted to get rid of them but that he'd gone about it the wrong way."
Cunningham's lawyer, Anna Brosnahan, said he was receiving alcohol counselling.
"He's extremely apologetic for wasting both the court's time and the police's time. He has a long-standing issue with alcohol ... He's an unwell man," she said.
"He can't actually remember that event, but he takes personal responsibility for that."
Judge David Cameron said it appeared to be "an odd cry for help".
The judge convicted and sentenced Cunningham to 80 hours' community work and six months' supervision.