SUFFERING from a mental health episode, a Newport man head-butted a plate glass door at the Isle of Wight Drug and Alcohol Service Centre in the town, magistrates were told.

Leon Carr, 38, of Garden Way, admitted an offence of criminal damage when he appeared before the bench today (Friday).

The court heard how Carr had threatened to kill himself when he attended the centre in Carisbrooke Road, on December 11.

Vivian Ducie, prosecuting, told the court: "I accept he was in a very distressed state and was seeking help when he took this action."

For Carr, Oscar Vincent said his client had a long history of mental health issues, including chronic depression and anxiety.

Carr had had his benefits stopped and was waiting for Universal Credit but had been without any form of payment for nine weeks, forcing him to borrow from friends and family.

At the centre, he had told staff he would 'throw himself in front of traffic' so they had barricaded a door and in his anguish, he had head-butted it, added Mr Vincent.

Magistrates sentenced Carr to a 12 month conditional discharge and told him to pay costs of £45 and a surcharge of £20.