A MAN whose mental health had been affected by the drug spice climbed onto the roof of a building and then threw himself through the window of what he thought was a police station.

Blackburn magistrates heard the police station was in fact on the ground floor and when officers didn’t respond immediately Daniel Richard Kirkman activated the fire alarm.

Kirkman, 28, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the Blackburn town centre police station was housed on the ground floor of St John’s Court on Ainsworth Street. Officers on duty heard a crashing noise from upstairs and went to investigate.

Miss Allan said Kirkman had climbed a lamp-post to get onto the roof of the building and then deliberately threw himself through a window to attract the attention of the police.

When they didn’t arrive immediately he activated the fire alarm.

“He said he thought people were chasing him and he wanted the police to help him,” said Miss Allan.

“This mistaken belief was due to his use of spice.”

Leigh Morgan, defending, said Kirkman had “hurled” himself through the window thinking it was part of the police station.

“He acknowledges his mental health problems are due to drug abuse,” said Miss Morgan.

“His mind was playing tricks on him and he was fleeing from nobody.

“He fully accepts that paranoia is no excuse for his behaviour.”