A homeless man was fined $150 after smearing faeces on the floor of a Hamilton Police Station cell.

Terrence Lowe, 54, admitted the offence but declined to comment further when asked to explain his actions by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.

Police officers observed Lowe dipping his clothing into the cell toilet, then wiping the floor.

When officers approached the cell they were struck by a pungent odour, according to prosecutor Garrett Byrne.

Lowe was fined $100 for the offence and ordered to pay $50 restitution for the damage.