A man handed himself in to police after throwing objects at a department store’s windows, causing £1,000 worth of damage.

Michael Skelton damaged the windows of Dixons department store on Lowther Street in Whitehaven on the morning of May 25.

Workington Magistrates’ Court heard that Skelton, 61, had then gone round to Whitehaven Police Station and reported the offence himself.

CCTV footage was checked, which showed Skelton throwing objects at the windows.

Skelton was interviewed for the offence and a pocket knife was found in his possession.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Skelton had told police that he was the victim of hate and bullying for many years, which had caused him to become overwhelmed and take it out on Dixons.

Claire Kirkpatrick, defending, said Skelton had a “long standing history of mental health issues”.

She said he has been “tortured” by people in the local area for the last 30 years and in his own words, “people want him to go to the loony bin”.

Ms Kirkpatrick said that his mum had died two and a half years ago and he had “found things much harder” and on this day, “he just couldn’t cope”.

She said the pocket knife was something he had always carried and he wasn’t aware that it was an offence to do so.

Skelton had not been before the court for more than 30 years, the court was told.

The defendant, of Aldby Street, Cleator Moor, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property under £5,000 and possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

For the criminal damage charge, Skelton was fined £80 and must pay £250 in compensation to Dixons department store.

A 12-month conditional discharge was imposed for possessing a bladed article.

Skelton must also pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.