Shop windows smashed in 'cry for help'

Hyndburn magistrates heard Glen Bower, 23, more than £11,000 worth of damage because he wanted treatment for his severe addiction to heroin.

Bower pleaded guilty to the criminal damage that led to six shops in Broadway, Accrington, calling in the glass fitters.

Woolworths needed to replace 14 of their 17 front doors and windows, and Marks and Spencer five.

The premises of £1 Everything, the British Heart Foundation, Jack Fulton frozen foods and the Boulevard entrance to the Town Hall each had one window replaced.

Each window of toughened glass had a hole the size of a two pence coin smashed into it and cracks running to the edges of the panes.

Bower is to be held in custody until sentencing in Crown Court.

Police were called to the scene at 4.20am on Friday June 6, after staff in Accrington's police station CCTV suite spotted a man smashing windows.

They discovered Bower outside £1 Everything with a black rubber-handled hammer beside him on the floor. He admitted he had committed the damage.

Mr Harrison, prosecuting, said: "He made a full admission of guilt and he said he did it to be sent to prison in order to get on a detox programme.

"He was a heavy drug user and he was familiar with the justice system.

He added that Bower was not welcome at his girlfriend's house, and the other three addresses he had provided were unsuitable. He should be remanded in custody until his appearance in Crown Court.

Mr Horne, defending, said: "He damaged the windows and just stood there.

"There was no suggestion of violence to any member of the public nor the police and he did not resist arrest.

"He fully co-operated with the police and entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity."

He added that Bower had a serious addiction to heroin and as he had gone through a detox period while in custody he should be placed on bail because his girlfriend and mother had both offered to put him up. The magistrates ruled that bail should be refused.