Prowler at Cruise's home turns out to be neighbour

Police say a security guard at actor Tom Cruise's house used a stun gun on a would-be prowler, but the man turned out to be an intoxicated neighbour who may have mistakenly entered the property.

Lt. Lincoln Hoshino says the confrontation occurred at Cruise's Beverly Hills residence about 9:30 pm PDT Sunday when the actor and his family weren't home.

The guard saw a man "climbing a fence to gain access to the property" and he used the stun gun to detain him for police.

The officer says the man was identified as a 41-year-old neighbour who lives in an adjacent property and was intoxicated at the time.

The man was taken into custody for trespassing and treated at a hospital for any problems stemming from the stun gun.