Within half an hour of being discharged from a mental health unit, a man was reported on the wrong side of the fence of a motorway bridge.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Kennedy was talked down and returned to hospital and again discharged and returned to the same motorway bridge.

The court was told that on both occasions the M55 was closed while police dealt with the incidents.

Kennedy, 28, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to wilful obstruction of the highway and wasteful employment of police time. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £45 victim surcharge.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Kennedy had been discharged from the Harbour mental health unit at 8 pm following an assessment. Just after 8.30pm police received an emergency call to say a man was n the wrong side of the fence on a bridge at Marton Circle over the M55.

“Both sides of the motorway had to be closed while police dealt with the incident,” said Mr Parker. “He eventually came off the bridge 20 minutes later and was taken to Blackpool Victoria hospital.”

At 11.25pm police received another emergency call saying Kennedy was again standing on the wrong side of the fence on the same bridge.

“On both occasions he was a danger to the public and police resources had.to be used,” said Mr Parker.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client was unable to get the medication he had been on because there was shortage of the drug.

“He thought he would try and get through it until he could get a fresh round of medication,” said Mr Price.

“These incidents were about six weeks into that period and he concedes his mental health problems were deteriorating.”

Mr Price said following his release from the Harbour his client went straight to the motorway bridge.

“There was a second assessment at the hospital when he was again deemed fit for release,” said Mr Price. “He did the same thing all over again.”

Mr Price said Kennedy’s medication was now back on track and he was working with numerous agencies and receiving a great deal of help.

“When he is medicated he can behave as society wants him to behave,” said Mr Price.