A man who went into Accrington police station to report a burglary ended up being arrested.

Blackburn magistrates heard Matthew Weller became frustrated and spat on the glass shield.

Weller, 42, of Wordsworth Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a glass shield.

He was jailed for one week and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge on release.

The court heard Weller was currently in prison on post-sentence recall.

Henry Prescott, prosecuting, said Weller went into the police station at 10.35am on August 4.

The member of staff manning the front counter couldn’t understand what he was saying and asked him to repeat it.

“He became aggressive and spat on the glass shield,” said Mr Prescott. “It cost £172 for specialist cleaners  to clean the glass and the front counter.”

Neil Howard, mitigating, said while his client had been serving an earlier prison sentence his home had been burgled and personal items and his bank details stolen.

“He went to the police station to report the burglary but accepts his behaviour was inappropriate,” said Mr Howard.

“He has since been back to the police station and apologised for his behaviour.

"He has also reported the burglary properly and it is my understanding that a person has been arrested and charged.”