One Nation senator for Western Australia Rodney Culleton has had a conviction for larceny annulled in New South Wales.

He was arrested in northern NSW today following an earlier conviction for stealing a set of truck keys.

The arrest happened after he attended the local court at Armidale in his bid to have the conviction annulled.

Culleton was convicted after failing to attend a court hearing earlier this year and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

He had been charged with stealing tow truck keys during an altercation with a driver at Guyra, in northern NSW, in 2014.

Culleton has previously said he attempted to phone into the court hearing, but a magistrate convicted him in his absence.

Today Magistrate Michael Holmes said the annulment was “in the interests of justice”.

Although the conviction has been dismissed the charge will need to be finalised before the court in September, after the magistrate said it needed “full ventilation before the court”.

Leaving the Armidale courtroom, Culleton exclaimed “What a ripper,” but told reporters the matter was a “joke”.

He was then pulled away by an adviser.

Culleton is also awaiting trial in Perth over an allegation he stole a hire car last year – which could threaten his position as a senator if it leads to a conviction.

The Constitution says a senator cannot be serving or awaiting a sentence for a crime that carries a prison sentence of 12 months or longer.

After today’s NSW ruling, Culleton’s counsel Peter King said his position in Parliament was “not at all” in limbo.

“He’s now free to sit in the Senate. He’s been properly elected by the people of Western Australia and he’ll be a strong voice for the community in that part of the country.”

Mr King branded the case “weak” and “over a trivial matter”.

“The fact is today his conviction has been dismissed, the annulment application has been completely successful,” he said.

Culleton was “delighted” with the result, Mr King added.

“He’s pleased that the court has seemed fit to set aside the conviction.”