A MAN who caused nearly £3,000 of damage to council offices escaped prison.

Mitchell Dean Harrison, 20, of Highgate Court, Kendal pleaded guilty to criminal damage, burglary and threatening behaviour at Kendal magistrates this week.

Prosecuting, Lisa O’Laughlin, said Harrison was sleeping rough on park benches after being made redundant from a Grasmere hotel.

He had attended South Lakes House, Kendal, on June 24 to get help finding council accomodation, but was arrested after becoming aggressive towards staff.

He admitted throwing a breezeblock at the premises the previous night because he felt he was not getting enough help finding somewhere to live.

On June 26, Harrison broke in and vandalised South Lakes House, pushing over a plasma screen TV and leaflet racks, causing £2,855 worth of damage.

“His life had come to an extremely low point,” said Rachel Broughton, mitigating. “He had lost all measure of self control.”

Chair Michael Bentley said Harrison had come “very close to custody” but was given a 12 month community order with 250 hours if unpaid work.