A MAN going through an episode of paranoia threw a weightlifting bar and weights out of his bedroom window causing damage to a car parked outside.

Blackburn magistrates heard Paul Rhodes remained in his house but was acting erratically.

There was a stand-off with the police, including armed response officers, before they entered the house and arrested him.

Rhodes, 32, of Moss Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a car belonging to Thomas Haslam. He was fined £80 with a £34 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £275 compensation.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said Mr Haslam was alerted by a neighbour at about 10.30pm and told he needed to move his car.

When he went out, the weights bar with weights on was in the road, surrounded by glass and his car was damaged.

"The defendant had thrown it through his own bedroom window and it had landed on the car,” said Miss Morrow.

“The first officers on the scene tried to engage with the defendant but he remained inside, shouting and swearing. Further patrols, including armed response, were called in and there was something of a stand-off.”

Mark Williams, defending, said his client never threatened anybody but his behaviour was bizarre and would have been of concern to the police and members of the public.

“He was having an episode of paranoia on the day,” said Mr Williams. “He believed someone was in the loft and they were trying to murder him. He also thought the police had come to hurt him.”

Mr Williams said his client was receiving medication for his problems and there had been no issues with the neighbours since the incident on July 1.