A SPECIAL school was forced to close for a day and destroy student’s prized work after a drunken intruder left a trail of blood around its classrooms.

Ross Hugill cut his arm as he smashed his way into the Brunel Academy in Paignton and sprayed and spattered blood in the reception area, corridors, and classrooms.

The school was closed for at least a day to allow deep cleaning and contaminated materials, which included some of the pupils’ work which was on display, had to be destroyed.

Hugill was suffering a mental health episode at the time and believed he was being chased by the FBI. He is a former pupil and seems to have taken refuge in the school.

He went on to kick out at police after they had taken him to Torbay Hospital to treat a cut to his arm.

Hugill, aged 23, of Salisbury Road, Torquay, admitted burglary and assaulting an emergency worker and was curfewed for eight weeks by Judge Anna Richardson at Exeter Crown Court.

She also imposed a 120 alcohol monitoring requirement, a nine month drug rehabilitation order, sent him on a 19-session Thinking Skills course and ordered ten days of rehabilitation activities.

She told him: ‘There was an impact because this is a special school which had to close to allow cleaning. There was a significant adverse impact on particularly vulnerable people who really need that school.

‘You also destroyed pupils’ work which was on display which they will have worked hard to create.’

Miss Felicity Payne, prosecuting, said police were called at 10.00 am on July 9 this year and found Hugill in an agitated state and extensive damage inside caused by his blood. He kicked out at officers while at hospital but none were injured.

Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Hugill suffers from ADHD and other mental health conditions and had been drinking on the morning of the burglary. He had visited his grandfather and said he was being chased by the FBI.

The academy caters for students from all over South Devon who have challenges with mainstream education.