A MAN who staged a protest on the roof of St Helens Town Hall, causing more than £10,000 worth of damage, has been jailed for 14 months.

Shaun Adamson, 33, from Sinclair Avenue, Longford, had pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage following the incident on Saturday, September 19.

Prosecutor Paul Blasbery told Liverpool Crown Court that Adamson climbed on to the roof at around 7am and unfurled a banner which stated 'Beware the police state'.

He said: "He had a hammer in his hand and was smashing roof tiles and throwing them off. He was shouting at people who passed by. Police attended and cordoned off the area. A police officer attended and saw the defendant in dark clothing with his face covered."

Mr Blasbery said Adamson was hurling abuse at the police officer about cop killer Dale Cregan and that Raoul Moat was his hero.

He went on to say he was glad the 'female coppers' got shot and he hoped the officer attending would get shot.

Luckily a wedding reception that was due to be held at the town centre later that day did go ahead.

A police negotiator was called and he voluntarily came down at around 10.50am.

A large section of the roof was examined and the estimated cost of damage was around £11,000.

He was interviewed later that day but said he didn't believe he had caused a public order offence.

Adamson had been before the courts on seven previous occasions including burglary, arson and offences of violence.

Charles Lander, defending said that the Adamson who sat in the dock was a 'different individual' from the man on the roof.

He said: "He hasn't been in prison for ten years and has found the past 11 months particularly difficult." And Adamson's four children were the reason he was "keen to leave prison.

"He has had various jobs, He qualified as a teaching assistant and worked in a boxing club as well as a life guard."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "It's quite clear the motivation which took you up to the roof that morning is due to your depressive state.

"That said, this is your fault. You had a hammer with you breaking tiles throwing them down potentially causing a threat to people going about their normal business.

"The fact that no one was struck or hurt is a risk that was always there. You retain a degree of hostility to the police from a previous incident.

"You have a supportive family and have responsibilities.

But this has proved to be a bit of a wake up call. You're beginning to realise what happened that day and where your future lies."