A DESPERATE man destroyed a glass panel and crawled through a hole in a bid to escape the town's mental health hospital, a court heard.

Thomas Birks was sectioned at Prospect Park Hospital but became stressed when his mother asked for him to be released to her care.

He described his experience as "hell" after doctors pinned him down and tried to force him to take medication.

Following a visit from family members on February 4, Birks took matters into his own hand by kicking through a wooden panel and climbing through to flee.

The 27-year-old admitted a single count of causing criminal damage and was slapped with a six-month conditional discharge.

Prosecuting, Clare Barclay told Reading Magistrates' Court: "He had been detained under the mental health act.

"He was visited by his sisters and after he left the lounge he was walking back towards his ward.

"He preceded to smash a glass panel and kick a hole in a wooden panel.

"Birks climbed through the hole and made his escape through the hospital's grounds.

"The doctors had decided he should stay in the hospital for further observation."

The magistrates heard how Birks did not know how long he had to stay in the hospital and he was desperate to return to his family.

It was not known how much it would cost to replace the two panels he destroyed.

His defence lawyer added: "He [Birks] felt like he was fine.

"When he did not take his medication he was being restrained because they thought it was for his benefit.

"That was scary for him and he described it as hell.

"He kept trying to say he wanted to leave.

Lindsay Beard, chairman of the bench, gave Birks, formerly of Spearing Road, High Wycombe, a six-month conditional discharge.

She also ruled the unemployed defendant did not have to pay compensation for the damage he caused.

She added: "We have heard a door was broken but we have no proof of how much damage was caused to that door."