A STUDENT refused to complete a community service order because he said going to the probation office gave him panic attacks.

Mark Crozier, 28, was made the subject of a combination order after he set fire to a bin at the home he shared with his ex-partner.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how he refused to complete the order because he "had difficulty meeting new people in circumstances of formality".

Defence barrister Glen Gatland said: "He responded very well to the probation part of the order.

"But he has an unusual psychiatric complaint. He suffers from panic attacks when due to go to the Community Service Office.

"This is a genuine problem, accredited by a psychiatric nurse."

Crozier, of Rutland Street, Sunderland, attends Bede College in the city and hopes to take up an accountancy course.

Judge Denis Orde agreed to a merciful course of action, and revoked the community service part of the original order.

Crozier, who admitted breaching the community service order, was given an order of two years probation.

Judge Orde told him: "I do not know whether there is truth in this complaint or not. You seem confident standing there.

"I accept that community service is an obstacle for you, although this is not a complaint I have heard before."