AN Iranian asylum seeker, said to have gone on a wrecking spree in Burnley, has been admitted to hospital.

Hussein Jafari, 24, was bailed by District Judge Paul Firth to allow police to take him to Burnley General Hospital. He was arrested in the Daneshouse area of the town in March after shop windows and cars were smashed.

Magistrates heard how Jafari had been in the hospital ward at Preston Prison since his arrest. A report into his mental condition had not been prepared and his solicitor, Basil Dearing, said he had been left 'languishing' in prison.

He was denied bail and sent back to Preston Prison after the court was told no beds were available at Burnley General Hospital. But a place there was due to be available for Jafari yesterday afternoon, to allow a second doctor to make a report on his mental state.

The district judge told Burnley magistrates court the defendant had been seen by a doctor at Preston Prison, where he had been remanded in custody.

That medic thought Jafari was mentally ill and could be treated in his local hospital.

The judge said he wanted a second doctor to see Jafari, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, who was bailed until June 2, on condition he stays at the hospital.

The defendant is charged with two counts of affray, three of damaging property and one of assaulting a police officer. He was arrested in Daneshouse on March 12.