A TEENAGER tried to escape from police by climbing up two drain pipes causing them to break, magistrates heard.

Callam Aston, 19, of Coningsby Street, Hereford, pleaded guilty to criminal damage of two drain pipes and a metal hinge on a double glazed window with a total value of £900.

Sara Beddow, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday, said that on July 23, police attended Aston's address following reports of a damaged radiator at that location. They entered the flat and found it empty so searched the area and were told Aston had returned to his flat.

They went in and found nobody inside but saw a window broken and when they looked out they saw Aston on a flat roof with a female.

"Aston climbed up a drain pipe and as he did so he fell back onto the roof and a piece of drain pipe was in his grasp," said Miss Beddow.

"Officers climbed onto the roof while Aston began to climb a second drain pipe and climbed through an open window. A section of the second drain pipe fell onto the roof."

Officers attended the room and arrested Aston who became abusive towards officers.

On interview Aston admitted breaking the drain pipes but told officers that he didn't do it intentionally.

Aston said that he was doing anything to avoid being arrested so ran.

Miss Beddow said that this offence meant that Aston breached a suspended sentence order of 12 months custody suspended for 24 months imposed in August 2016 for a matter of causing actual bodily harm and handling stolen goods.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, mitigating, said that Aston was clearly in drink which explained the way he behaved.

"He was never charged with damaging a radiator," said Miss Di Vitantonio.

"When asked why he did this he said that he didn't really know and it was out of panic and instinct. Due to his history he is well aware of the police and admits this was a stupid thing to do.

"This was erratic behaviour and he can't explain why."

Magistrates ordered Aston to pay a £175 fine, £600 compensation to Brenda O'Connor who owned the property, £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. Magistrates felt is was not in the interest of justice to activate the suspended sentence.