A man has admitted causing a public nuisance after he climbed up the Tyne Bridge during rush hour.
Joseph Brent, 32, of no fixed abode, scaled the structure at around 5pm on Wednesday and stayed there for six hours.
He appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to a charge of causing a nuisance to the public.
The court was told that Brent is a vulnerable man and psychiatric reports would be needed before he is sentenced.
Prosecutor James Long said: "He climbed up on the high ramparts of the Tyne Bridge in rush hour traffic, starting at 5pm.
"Traffic in the whole Quayside area was gridlocked for hours. The defendant was up there for about six hours.
"When someone is static on the Tyne Bridge, police make a decision to open one lane up to traffic.
"The defendant was moving around from place to place, which meant that the whole bridge was closed for a long time."
Mr Long said the incident had caused major disruption.
"There was not only massive disruption to people going about their business, but substantial cost to the public purse," he added.
"You have got a substantial police presence - 10 police officers, plus three police negotiators, and police officers in the marine unit in the boat below.
"The Tyne and Wear fire brigade put their costs at £14,000, nearly £15,000."
Matthew Purvis, defending, told the court: "This gentleman is vulnerable.
"Help needs to be offered to this gentleman in real terms."
Magistrates decided to send the case to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence. The next hearing will take place there on August 23.
Brent was remanded in custody until that date.
