A prank call about an apparent vicious assault has landed a 17 year old Welland man in hot water.

The youth called 911 at around 4:30 in the morning on Sunday, January 27th to report an assault in the north end of the Rose City.

The call taker dispatched several police units to the area.

When police arrived they realized it was a "prank" call and immediately started an investigation. 

A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged by the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) for public mischief, after a police investigation determined his allegations of a criminal act occurring were fabricated.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to answer to the charges of public mischief and fail to comply with a probation order.

The maximum penalty for public mischief is five years' imprisonment.