‘Frustrated’ man broke window
JON MACPHERSON
A‘ FRUSTRATED’ man broke a window of an NHS building after a row with his mental health worker, a court heard.
David Lowe was visiting The Mount in Accrington when he got ‘very upset’ and smashed the window.
The 26-year-old then reported himself to the police because he feared they were ‘after him for it’.
Lowe, of Spruce Court, Huncoat, pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court to criminal damage and while subject to a suspended prison sentence order. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge order.
Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told the court how the incident happened at around 4pm on February 13 this year.
She said: “The Mount is an establishment that deals with people who have mental health issues.
“Mr Lowe in fact rang the police and told them he was responsible for the breaking of the window as he believed they were, in his words, ‘after him for it’.
“It was as a result of that he attended the police station, admitted the offence and was charged.
“There have been issues prior to this particular day with the defendant attending the centre.
“His drinking is affecting the medication he takes with his mental health problems.”
Katie Jones, defending, said Lowe is a ‘young man with very serious difficul- ties and doesn’t have any support in the community’.
She told the court: “He felt that he was not getting on with his mental health worker. He felt his perception was she was being verbally abusive towards him and using swear words at him.
“He instructs me that he got very upset about this and discounted using any violence towards her, but, in order to express his frustration and despair, he broke the window.
“He felt he wasn’t being listened to.”
Judge Beverley Lunt said she wouldn’t activate his suspended sentence because the latest offence had ‘given him a bit of a fright’ and that ‘he is now engaging’.
Sentencing, she said: “What did this window ever do to you? I know you get frustrated and good call that you didn’t use physical violence to any people but can you leave windows alone as well?
“You are doing quite well now. That’s all I ask of you, that you try. The more you try the more you succeed. You have got a lot of people helping you and you are taking the help. There’s a lot of plans made for you that are good for you.”