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A grateful defendant who did a poo outside Gloucester City Council's offices after throwing a brick and a table through its windows thanked a lenient judge by presenting him with three pop art pictures he had painted while in custody.

David Collins, 36, of no fixed address, told startled Judge Ian Lawrie QC on Friday that one of the paintings he was giving him represented the worsening state of prison meals - with smaller plates and more carbohydrates.

The judge showed his knowledge of pop art by responding “These watercolours show you have an artistic talent and it seems they help bring some sense of normality into your life.

“You are obviously influenced by Roy Lichtenstein. You are clearly keen on his style and you are a lot brighter for it.”

Collins pleaded guilty to criminally damaging Gloucester City Council’s offices by throwing a brick and a table through the windows and also admitted obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty on October 17 last year.

The incident made local headlines because Collins also did a poo right outside the offices. He has been in custody since the incident.

Appearing before Gloucester Crown Court Collins last Friday Collins presented Judge Lawrie with the paintings and said they represented the current issues in prison.

(Image: GNS)

“It is a very sad state of affairs there," he said. "The paintings are my version of pop art.

“One of the paintings represents the food crisis in prison as the plates have got smaller while the carbohydrates have got bigger. Another represents mental health issues and the other is the problem of 'Mamba' drugs.

“I would like to teach others the joy of painting. I am passionate about painting because if I see something wrong then I can express my feelings in my artwork.”

Anjal Gohil prosecuting said: “Collins’ expressions to the authorities of his frustrations are more like that of a toddler than a grown man.”

Lucy Taylor, defending, pointed out to the court that he has served a significant sentence already as he has been behind bars on remand for almost four months.

She added: “He had remained sober for a good period of time following his last release from prison but he relapsed at the time these offences were committed.”

Judge Lawrie said “Collins obviously has behaviour issues, but I’d like to see if there is some prospect of helping him.”

Collins interjected by telling the judge: “I have so much to give the Gloucester community.”

He added that he has ‘faith in Your Honour this time’.

The judge deferred sentencing Collins for six months and released him from court.

But he warned Collins to sort out his accommodation immediately and take steps to get some order in his life. He also advised him not to commit any more offences.

The judge also suggested that he should use his artistic skills to help others.

Collins will be sentenced on July 21. The judge told Collins that he had already served the bulk of any sentence while he had been on remand and added that there are alternatives to custody.

Collins then said he would like to shake the judge’s hand for ‘being very understanding towards him’.

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