A POLICE time-wasting Greenock woman concocted a fake assault and robbery story after waking from an all-night booze bender with no money to get home.

Sarah Phillips led officers on a wild goose chase investigating her lie that she had been the victim of an attack in Gourock.

The truth was that Phillips, 41, had been drinking at a pal's house the night before and she'd woken with no cash for the journey back to her house on Greenock's Wren Road.

Police initially treated her spurious tale as genuine and their investigation into the 'incident' left Inverclyde short of a total of six officers and three vehicles.

Phillips had told the police that she had been kicked on the head and robbed of her purse, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

A procurator fiscal depute said: "She passed a description of the persons involved and three double-crewed police response vehicles attended due to the nature of the allegation.

"This meant that there were no free response vehicles available to attend any ongoing incidents.

"The accused was traced on Chalmers Street and said she had been robbed on Davidson Drive in Gourock.

"She told police that a male and a female approached her, asked for money and alcohol and proceeded to pull her hair, punch and kick her."

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The prosecutor said CCTV footage was requested from around the nearby area and door-to-door enquiries were carried out.

The fiscal depute added: "She was visibly upset at this point.

"She provided further details regarding the incident and said she was on Hillside Road the night before.

"She was driven to that location, though she then had no recollection."

Phillips was taken to the police office to provide a DNA sample and a statement but 'became emotional' and said she didn't want to go and wanted to get her medication, the court heard.

After speaking 'at length' to police, she eventually admitted that she had not been robbed and that the two alleged perpetrators did not exist.

The prosecutor said: "She said she had been at a friend's house drinking and smoking and had cheated on her partner.

"Waking up embarrassed she concocted the story and said she didn't have any money for a lift home.

"She told police she was sorry for wasting their time."

Sentence has been deferred on first offender Phillips until May 29.