AN ARSONIST who bricked a nurse’s car just days after he had been given final chances by a judge and magistrates has been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard how Martin Charles Simon McMulkin had been given a suspended sentence by Judge Philip Parry on June 5 after pleading guilty to offences of arson and criminal damage.

But just five days later the 47-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared before Blackburn magistrates and pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

That was in relation to an incident where he threw a stone through the window of a police van while it was parked outside Blackburn Magistrates Court in Northgate.

On that occasion magistrates decided not to invoke the suspended sentence, but instead to mark the offence with a six-month conditional discharge.

That was on June 16, and four days later McMulkin was refused treatment at Royal Blackburn Hospital and reacted by taking his frustration out on a nurse’s blue Ford Focus.

Prosecuting, Lisa Worsley said: “In the early hours of June 20, the defendant was being monitored by security staff operating CCTV at Royal Blackburn Hospital. The defendant was seen to damage a car belonging to Lizwe Ntuli, a nurse working at the hospital.

The defendant threw a building block at the vehicle, causing damage to the windscreen, wing mirror and body work.

“A security guard on patrol detained the defendant who was arrested by police.

“There was a £1,500 repair cost.”

McMulkin pleaded guilty to criminal damage, committing a further offence during the active period of a suspended sentence order and committing a further offence during the active period of a conditional discharge.

Darren Lee-Smith, defending, said his client suffered with his mental health.

Sentencing McMulkin to 18 months’ imprisonment Judge Parry told the defendant that he had given him a second chance but it had been thrown back in his face.

He said: “I really do hope this sentence brings to an end all of your offending.”

Dr Neil Prater, clinical director for emergency medicine, said: “East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to responding appropriately to violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour.”

“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and direct action taken to protect our staff, patients and visitors.

“A&E staff make every effort to treat all patients in a professional and courteous manner.

He added: “This incident caused a good deal of distress, in particular to the member of staff whose car was badly damaged.”

“Patients attending A&E who require mental health support are referred to the specialist Mental Health Liaison Team at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.”