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A man used his work credit card to buy radiation suits and gas masks after becoming fixated that the world was facing ‘‘a catastrophic event’’.

Fraudster Dane Cooper, aged 25, ran up a £38,700 bill – fearing some sort of global disaster was imminent.

But a court heard that as well as stocking up on gear which might protect him he also used the card to buy skateboards and other property.

UPS employee Cooper, aged 25, of Bretts Hall Estate, Ansley Common, near Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud.

The crown court at Leamington heard that he used an American Express card, which he had been issued for use as part of his job with UPS, for personal use.

And prosecutor Lal Amarasinghe said that between October and December last year Cooper had amassed £38,700 of spending on the card.

Colin Charvill, defending, said: “The case is somewhat unusual. Mr Cooper amassed this large debt on this credit card, but he doesn’t know exactly what he bought.

“There is some indication he became fixated with the idea that there was going to be a catastrophic event in December last year.

“He purchased gas masks and radiation suits with this credit card.

“It seems to be the consensus that when he committed this offence he was not in his right mind, and simply was not behaving normally.”

Mr Charvill suggested it was a case in which 'a psychiatric report may assist the court,' pointing out that prior to October Cooper had been ‘an honest hard-working young man’ who had never been in trouble.

And he added: “I am anxious to see that this young man is not sent to immediate custody.”

Asking why a psychiatric report had not already been considered, Mr Justice John Saunders commented: “It may be it is an unusual case, but we’re wasting time and money if we have to have another hearing.”

But after hearing that Cooper’s solicitors had only been instructed last week, Mr Justice Saunders said: “I am prepared to do so (adjourn for a psychiatric report) with some reluctance, because it may just be putting off the evil day.”

Granting Cooper bail, he told him: “You must absolutely understand I am not indicating that anything will happen to you in the end other than immediate custody.

“But I don’t think anyone should be sent to custody before the court knows everything about them.”

* Many people feared the world was about to end last December. One in 10 people were said to be anxious that December 21 would mark the end of the world.

he Ancient Mayans’ calendar ran out on December 21 2012 and some predicted that meant the end of the world.