A MAN who cut telephone cable lines connected to the Liberal Democrat office in Kendal town centre has been fined by magistrates.

Gilles Stuart Dee, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he appeared at South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that on April 1 a member from the party office on Stricklandgate noticed that the internet and computers were not working and established the wires had been cut.

Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said CCTV footage outside Smokie’s Bar showed the 59-year-old squatting down and ‘tampering’ with cables.

She added that when Dee was arrested and interviewed, he mumbled that he could not remember doing it.

In mitigation Jackie Partington said Dee accepted the police evidence and that he was at Smokie’s Bar so could have been down the alleyway, but had no recollection or any reason for cutting the wires.

Magistrates made no order for compensation as there was no information regarding the cost of the damage caused.

Dee was fined £75 and also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.