Vandal's three-day Longton Bus Station wrecking spree lands taxpayers with £10k bill
Vandal Jacob Bassom smashed windows at a bus station on three consecutive days causing thousands of pounds of damage. The 32-year-old was struggling with his mental health as he has been unable to access services in Stoke-on-Trent.
He broke windows at Longton Bus Station three times in three days in what was described by his solicitor as 'cries for help'. Now Bassom has been sentenced to a 12-month community order at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Prosecutor Shakeel Hussain said Bassom caused 'extensive damage' to windows at the Baths Road bus station on June 3, 4 and 5. Mr Hussain said: "It was captured on CCTV. The total costs of the damage was in excess of £10,000. The first damage was between £5,000 and £6,000; on the second occasion three windows on the upper tier were smashed, the cost estimated at £3,000; and one window was smashed on June 5, estimated at £1,000.
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"Council officers say because of the recent incidents of damage they have not had the glass repaired. It cost £1,203.61 to clean up the glass on the three days."
Bassom, of Packett Avenue, Fenton, pleaded guilty to three charges of criminal damage.
Iain Haley, mitigating, said Bassom accepts causing the damage to the windows but the frames are still intact. He asked the court to be guarded against the estimated cost of the repairs as the windows have not yet been repaired.
Mr Haley said: "He suffers quite badly with severe mental health issues, ADHD, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. When he moved to this area from Hull his medication stopped. He has been trying to access mental health services in this area.
"These were committed as a cry for help because he has been unable to access the mental health services which he very much needs. He found himself banging his head against a brick wall. He found himself getting more and more depressed, worked up, upset and frustrated. These were simply cries for help. There has been no repetition since June."
As part of the community order Bassom must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 35 days. He was fined £50 and ordered to pay £1,200 compensation - the cost of the clean up. There was no order for costs.
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