A man in Chongqing called the police hotline 110 repeatedly over the past eight months to report false cases because he wanted to be arrested.

The 49-year-old man, a gardener surnamed Chen, called police for emergency assistance many times, often claiming people wanted to kill him or that he was dying with a serious disease.

But each time police went to see him, they found him in a drunken state and in no sign of trouble.

"Chen did not say why he called us but just asked us to put him into prison," said a policeman who responded to Chen's calls several times.

Local police believe Chen felt lonely following his divorce and needed company.

(Chongqing Evening News)