A man who climbed on top of a railway station said he did it to make national news.

Lucas Nurden caused £379,093 in delays and a further £15,785 worth of damage to the roof of Chatham Railway Station.

Nurden was seen pacing up and down the roof of the station

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to criminal damage and causing obstruction to the train station at Medway Magistrates' Court today.

A third charge involving a public order offence was dropped by the prosecution relating to Nurden causing alarm and distress.

Magistrates heard Nurden, of Chancel Drive, Wainscott, had climbed on to the roof of the station following an altercation with the police after attending Medway County Court over domestic matters.

While on the roof, Nurden had shouted: "I would rather kill myself than be arrested, I will stay up here all night if I have to.

"I don't care, I want to cause as much disruption as possible because I know I'm going to be nicked anyway, I want to be on KentOnline."

He also said he wanted to make it onto national television news.

It was reported that Nurden's actions on January 20 caused nearly four days worth of delays, 66 total cancellations and 65 "part-cancellations".

Network Rail was charged a total of £376,093 by train operating companies for the delays.

Chatham Railway Station reported it cost £15,786 to repair the glass panels on the roof Nurden had stamped on.

In mitigation, his defence stated that Nurden had gone to his GP to seek help over mental health issues last October and was put on a course of medication but took himself off it in the weeks afterwards.

They also stated he was struggling to cope after a relationship break up as he had no one to turn to as his mother was away in Brazil visiting family.

It wasn't until after Nurden had spoken to a work colleague that he decided to take the medication again.

He was released on bail and will be sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court at a later date.

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