A vandal's own solicitor described him in court as "the winner of the most stupid offence of the week award" after he admitted smashing a police station window.
Paul Cockburn was angry after having a petty argument with his mother at their home in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, so decided to cross the road and cause damage to nearby Etal Lane Police Station.
But the 36-year-old's conscience quickly kicked in and, as the premises was closed, he dialled the emergency services to confess to what he'd done, prosecutors said.
Cockburn, of Haggerston Crescent, left the scene but was later arrested and held in custody for more than 40 hours before appearing at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage.
Rehana Haque, proscuting, said it was around 4.30pm on January 24 this year that Cockburn caused the damage, which was worth £500.
"The defendant used a broken cricket wicket to smash a window," Ms Haque continued. "He then contacted police to say he had caused the damage to the window.
"An officer was on patrol and attends the address of the defendant and speaks to the defendant's mother.
She said "I know why you're here, but Paul isn't here."
The court heard that police attended Cockburn's home again at 6.30pm on the same day and arrested him.
Michael Crowe, defending, said Cockburn, who has 17 offences on his record, including one of criminal damage from February last year, had admitted what he'd done immediately.
Mr Crowe added: "The offence that comes before you today is probably the winner of the most stupid offence of the week award by some distance.
"He lives over the road from Etal Lane Police Station and had a petty argument with his mother and walked over the road to the police station, which was shut, and damaged the window.
"He was always going to be apprehended. To make sure there was no difficulty with getting apprehended, he rang the police.
"That was to his credit as it saved the police a lot of time and trouble.
"He's spent a colossal amount of time in custody since his arrest on Sunday."
Cockburn was ordered to pay £250 compensation.
