A DRUNK student who caused public outcry by desecrating a Nativity scene has narrowly escaped jail.

Christopher Geisler hit the headlines last month after the Christmas crib outside the Guildhall in Worcester's High Street was vandalised and the figures of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus stolen.

A judge said the 18-year-old's actions - committed after a night out drinking - would have horrified the community, but spared him jail after John Coverdale, former president of Worcester Rotary Club - which is responsible for installing the scene - pleaded for him not to be locked up.

Julie Rosamond, prosecuting, said police received a call to the scene in the early hours of Tuesday, December 11, following reports of a male climbing over the railings.

"Within a short time officers saw the defendant next to shops on the Cathedral roundabout - he was in possession of the Virgin Mary figurine," she said at yesterday's hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court.

"She had a damaged left hand and missing right hand.

"It was noticed at that stage that he had a small cut on the little finger of his left hand and there were traces of blood on the figurine of the Virgin Mary."

Ms Rosamond said following a search of the area police located the damaged plaster face of the Baby Jesus.

"The hand of the Virgin Mary was found and seized," she added.

Mumtaz Mitza, defending Geisler, of Leopard Rise, off Worcester's Newtown Road, said: "He recognises this was a senseless and motiveless offence and he's unable to understand why he committed it."

Mr Mitza said the time Geisler had already spent in custody, which included Christmas Day, was sufficient punishment.

John Coverdale of the Rotary Club said although he was "absolutely thunderstruck" by the desecration, he thought Geisler needed help and locking him up would prevent this from happening.He said he hoped the time he had spent in custody would have been the "short, sharp shock " he needed.

On sentencing Geisler - who admitted criminal damage and theft - Deputy District Judge James Astle said he would be justified in imposing a custodial sentence to make an example of him, but instead he made the Worcester Sixth Form student subject to a 12-month community order.

He must complete 60 hours of unpaid work, pay £500 compensation and £87 court costs.

The family declined to comment following the case.