A MAN who smashed windows at his flat claimed he was trying to attract attention because he thought someone was coming to beat him up.

East Lancashire magistrates heard a police officer who put his head around a corner to investigate was narrowly missed by flying glass from Henry Horton’s first floor flat.

Horton, 38, of Sherwood Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to windows belonging to Together Housing. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £21 victim surcharge.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said when police arrived at the address on Sherwood Road in the early hours of the morning they heard a male voice screaming but not making any sense.

“They also heard the sound of smashing glass and one went round the back of the property to investigate,” said Mr Bardsley. “As he rounded the corner glass showered down, narrowly missing him.”

Mr Bardsley said Horton was taken to hospital after telling police he had taken a number of tablets.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had mental health difficulties and had been assaulted earlier in the day by someone who turned up at his flat.

"He had barricaded himself in his flat for fear of further attacks,” said Mr Taylor. “He saw a number of men across the road wearing dark clothing and he was terrified he was going to be attacked again. His phone was not working and he was trying to draw attention to himself by smashing the windows."