A drunk who vandalised Ipswich town centre’s police base forcing it to close told officers he did it because he was having ‘a really bad day’.

Brett Cayzer, of no fixed address, walked into the station in Museum Street at around 6pm on November 6 armed with a brick in each hand.

The 52-year-old admitted criminal damage when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

The clerk on duty saw Cayzer enter the foyer holding the bricks and asked him what he was doing.

Cayzer then threw one of the bricks at a central panel in the reception area, which separates civilian staff from the public, causing it to shatter.

He then hurled the other brick at another glass panel also causing it to fracture.

Cayzer was arrested immediately.

The damage caused came to a total of £400.

The station was shut due to the vandalism. It remained closed during the morning of November 7, with a sign on the window stating the nearest open police stations were in Woodbridge and Felixstowe. The Ipswich town centre base was re-opened in the afternoon after the necessary repairs were made.

Asked why he caused the damage in an interview with an officer Cayzer said he had recently lost his mother, he was homeless, and had turned to drink.

He then added he had had a really bad day and had decided to take his frustration out on police with whom he had problems in the past.

At the end of Cayzer’s case District Judge Celia Dawson gave him a 12-month conditional discharge.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to Suffolk Constabulary. In addition he must pay £50 towards prosecution costs and £15 to the victims’ fund.