Wellington  - A New Zealand pensioner fought off a 15-year-old intruder who broke a window at her Hamilton home in the early hours of the morning by hitting him over the head three times with a rolling pin, police said on Tuesday.

She called police who found the youth crying after he had wet his pants and tjat embarrassed that he virtually leapt into the patrol car, said Constable Chris Mankelow.

"He'd had a wee accident and stripped down to his boxers and was pretty keen to be taken away," the officer said.

The boy was bailed into the care of his parents and referred to the police youth aid section for follow up action.

Police praised the bravery of the woman, who is in her 70s and lives on her own, but requested anonymity. (dpa)