Sleaford man jailed following roof top stand-off with police

A man climbed onto the roof of his mum’s home and ripped off slates causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, Lincoln Crown Court was told this afternoon (Friday).
Lincoln Crown Court EMN-200402-122359001Lincoln Crown Court EMN-200402-122359001
Lincoln Crown Court EMN-200402-122359001

Nathan Stevenson, who was described as “off his head”, went on to be involved in a 90 minute stand-off on top of the property in George Street, Sleaford, before he was persuaded to come down by a police negotiator.

Stevenson, 26, of George Street, Sleaford, admitted threatening behaviour, assaulting an emergency worker, common assault of his mother and two charges of damaging property as a result of the incident on the morning of February 1 this year. He was jailed for 14 months.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said the incident arose after Stevenson accused his mother of stealing his drugs.

“He was shouting and swearing at her. He picked her up and struck her in the face. He then tried to push her down the stairs.

“His mother was so frightened by her son’s actions that she ran out of the property to a neighbour’s house and called the police.”

Mr Scott said that police officers arrived to find Stevenson barricaded in his bedroom. They forced their way in and tried to coax him out, but instead he climbed out of the window and stood on the ledge.

Stevenson spat at a police officer and then climbed onto the roof.

“He started to pull off the roof tiles and parts of the chimney pots and began to throw them into the road below. He attempted to throw a television aerial down,” said Mr Scott.

A number of missiles struck a parked police car damaging the bonnet and the windscreen.

Mr Scott said: “The missile throwing lasted five minutes. It then became a stand-off with the police. For most of the time the defendant was just standing and ranting to himself.

“He was either sitting on the roof or on occasions walking along the ridge of the roof. He remained on the roof for 90 minutes. It took a negotiator to talk him down.”

During the incident 18 police officers were involved in dealing with the situation along with fire and rescue officers.

A total of £3,500 worth of damage was caused to the roofs of the properties which belonged to North Kesteven District Council.

Judge Julie Warburton, passing sentence, told him :“It is clear that you had a total loss of self control.

”You climbed onto the roof and proceeded to dismantle the chimney stack and threw tiles and other items down towards police officers and people in the street. You caused significant damage to the roof structures and to a police car.”

The court was told that the incident happened just four months after he was released early from a three year sentence for wounding. As a result he was recalled to prison for that matter and is not due for release until March 2021.

Neil Sands, in mitigation, said that Stevenson had a difficult relationship with his mother but on his release from his previous sentence was given the choice of living with her or being homeless.

“He managed to behave himself until February 1. Given the difficulties in the relationship that was some achievement for him,” said Mr Sands.

Mr Sands said that on the day of the incident things went dramatically downhill for Stevenson and he ended up on the roof.

“There was no intention to harm anyone by throwing items into the street. When he came down after an hour and a half he offered no difficulty to the police or the fire service.”