A VANDAL who climbed onto the atrium roof of a police station and attacked officers caused £5,000 worth of damage to the building.

Aaron Barrett refused to leave the front office at the police station in John Street, Brighton, on Sunday afternoon and had become aggressive towards staff.

The 29-year-old then climbed up onto the atrium roof at the front entrance and threw tiles and plasterboard at police officers below who were trying to persuade him to come down.

John Street was cordoned off and the front office at the station had to be closed for three hours while Barrett remained on the roof, until he surrendered and was arrested.

Barrett, of North Road, Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of causing criminal damage, assaulting a police officer and causing a nuisance to the public by causing the closure of the police station front office through violent behaviour.

Barrett was released by the court on conditional bail to appear at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on November 9.