Man who attacked 5G mast from BT has ‘severe mental health problems’
A judge said this afternoon that a man who set fire to a 5G mast – causing £100,000 of damage – was suffering from “severe mental health problems.”
David Patterson, 41, was given a suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday after Judge Sarah Mallett heard how he was now responding well to his medication.
Judge Mallett described how Patterson climbed into a compound in the early hours of June 21 and set light to the BT mast which was on the roof of Wardley Garage, in Gateshead.
She said: “In summary, you thought it was necessary to destroy the mast to protect others.
“That was a product of your mental ill health at the time.”
The judge said the defendant had been prescribed anti-psychotic drugs but had stopped taking them and suffered a “psychotic episode”.
She said that he was arrested at the scene, after calling police and firefighters, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The court heard how the risk Patterson posed was reduced now he is taking his medication and Judge Mallett said: “It’s plain you are committed to doing that.”
An earlier hearing heard how the defendant became so paranoid about the affects of the mast he built a tin can bunker in his house and covered himself in foil.
Patterson, of Pensher Street East, Felling, Gateshead, admitted arson earlier this year,
He was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.
The judge was told that Patterson is not in a position to pay compensation to BT.