A New Zealand man is due in court in Australia today after he allegedly used a snake to threaten police.
The incident occurred during a bizarre stand-off on Queensland's Sunshine Coast earlier this month.
Police said the former Masterton man threatened them with the 1.5m Murray Darling carpet python at the scene of a car crash in Maroochydore on September 12.
Passerby and staff from nearby businesses watched in amazement as the heavyset man walked straight into the scene of a three-vehicle crash at 9.45am with the python around his neck.
The 29-year-old man, who was not involved in the crash, then tried to throw the 50mm-wide snake into the lap of a police officer siting in a patrol car.
Witnesses said the man shouted expletives at police and also waved the snake in the faces of several onlookers.
Police then scuffled with the man before he was subdued.
"Police attempted to grab the man who was verbally abusive, but the snake got in the way,'' a police spokesman said.
"One of the police officers grabbed the snake and lobbed it about 10 metres away,'' the Sunshine Coast Daily reported.
The Murray Darling carpet python is non-venomous and can grow to about 2.5m.
They are a popular choice as a reptile pet because of their placid nature.
The man was bailed to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today charged with assaulting police, obstructing police and being a public nuisance.
