A 25 year old psychiatric patient was presented before magistrates in Bury St. Edmunds last Thursday, after he damaged a reinforced glass window at West Suffolk Hospital, under the influence of alcohol.

Prosecutor Anita Addison, presenting her case, told the court how the defendant, Anthony Michael Bird, left the hospital's Wedgewood Unit on March 2, where he was staying. He returned to the hospital after drinking more than five pints of lager.

Addison stated that a nurse, who was on duty at the time of incident, reported "hearing shouting at around midnight" and later learned that it was Bird on the phone.

"Bird jumped up in a kicking kung-fu motion and cracked a window, made from reinforced glass. He ran off and later told police he had drunk six pints of Stella Artois and could not remember damaging the window", said Prosecutor Addison.

Defense Attorney Nick Wray stated that his client has had a "history of depression and anxiety", and that recently had an argument with his mother. Wray admitted that his client suffers from a mental illness which worsens when he consumes alcohol. He also said that the defendant's mother believes his mental illness is "a passing stage".

Bird was ordered to pay £200 as compensation by the magistrates, and was discharged conditionally for a period of 12 months.