A PRISONER detained at Carlisle’s Police HQ who was granted his wish to have a Bible promptly trashed it, ripping out pages and stuffing them into a toilet.

But a defence lawyer told the city’s Rickergate court that Adam Harrison’s problems were linked to his mother's death and compounded by his "binge drinking". The 42-year-old admitted causing criminal damage.

At the city's Rickergate court, prosecutor Lee Dacre outlined the facts.

He said Harrison, formerly of Marport but now living at Fell View, Milton, near Brampton, was arrested and taken to the Durranhill police station, where he was placed in a cell. “He asked to be provided with a copy of the Bible,” said the prosecutor.

Once granted his wish, he set about destroying the holy book, ripping out the pages and then throwing them down the cell toilet. The destroyed bible was valued at £20.

The court heard that Harrison has previous convictions for causing criminal damage to police property.

John Smith, for Harrison, said the defendant was diagnosed with mental health problems, which included emotionally unstable personality disorder. The lawyer said: “He’s had difficulties coping with the death of his mother.

“He intended to visit his mother’s grave in west Cumbria. He’d bought flowers and travelled from his home address in Milton and got as far as Carlisle.”

At this point in his journey, Harrison encountered transport problems and so began drinking. Alcohol was “directly linked” to the offending, the court heard.  Mr Smith said background reports suggested that the defendant had indulged in binge drinking.

District Judge John Temperley noted that the offence was committed while Harrison was under post-sentence supervision.

He told the defendant: “It was committed after you had some alcohol and that alcohol was, I am sure, a factor in it. It seems to me there must have been some planning; you specifically asked for a Bible.

“You are not charged with a religiously aggravated offence…But anyone who destroys the holy book of any given religion must accept this is an aggravating factor and, for some people, that would be a very serious matter.”

The District Judge imposed a six month community order with a requirement to abide by 90 days of alcohol abstinence, which will be electronically monitored. Harrison must also pay Cumbria Constabulary £20 compensation.

There was no order for costs.