A homeless man from Harrogate kicked police cars and an officer in separate incidents because he ‘wanted to be arrested’.

Meteusz Lampa, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court today (November 13) to two counts of criminal damage to property and one count of assaulting a police officer.

Police saw Lampa, 31, "acting strangely" on Oxford Street on September 30, the court heard.

When they approached him, Lampa said he “had to assault them” and that he wished to be arrested. Shortly after, he kicked the police car door, causing damage worth over £1,800.

'Almost identical' offence

On October 15, Lampa committed an offence the prosecution described as “almost identical in nature”.

Police attended an incident outside the McDonald’s in Harrogate town centre, and Lampa requested that they arrest him.

Officers said they would not arrest him just because he wanted somewhere to stay or a lift to the location where he was camping.

He again kicked the door of the police car, leaving a dent.

On October 27, police received a report of a man near Asda in Harrogate carrying what was believed to be a knife.

Four officers were dispatched and found Lampa at the scene “apparently intoxicated”.

The former chef kicked one of the officers near the groin, before being handcuffed.

Lampa has similar previous convictions, including assaulting an emergency worker and threatening to cause criminal damage.

His defence lawyer said Lampa was a skilled chef — a job that provided his accommodation — but when he lost his job he became homeless.

Magistrates asked for a pre-sentencing report to be compiled, and the case was adjourned to December 11.