A MAN entered a police station yard and jumped on the roof of a police car.

Blackburn magistrates heard that after stamping on the blue emergency light bar Scott Gath jumped on the roof of another police car and repeated the performance.

The court was told the “bizarre” incident had been a 'cry for help'.

Gath, 34, of Rossall Terrace, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 60 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £520 compensation.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said the entire incident had been caught on CCTV. The police cars were parked in the yard at the rear of Accrington police station. In broad daylight, Gath climbed onto the roof of the first vehicle and started stamping on the blue light.

A man could be seen on the footage challenging Gath, whose response was to hold his arms out in a gesture of triumph before jumping down and climbing onto the second vehicle.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said the French phrase “cri de coeur” represented the feelings of his client at the time of the offence.

“It was a passionate plea from the heart for help,” said Mr Bakhat. “He was possessed with delusional thoughts that someone was after him.”

He said the only place his client felt he would be safe was the police station.

“He wanted to be arrested and committed these offences for that purpose,” said Mr Bakhat.

“He now realises he was suffering paranoid delusional thoughts and no-one was in fact after him. He needs help to ensure he doesn’t behave in this way in the future.”