A MAN arrested after damaging a window at his mother's home later punched the doctor called to the police cells to examine him.

Mark Devine, 34, of Cherry Tree Guest House, Islington, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting Dr Jalal Bachh.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation to Dr Bachh.

Kevin Preston, defending, said Devine was a prime example of how the system failed people with mental health problems.

"He was remanded in custody for his own protection," said Mr Preston.

"He has spent the last seven days in the prison hospital wing, which clearly is not the right place for him."