Teenager threatened police after stand-off on rooftop
1:00pm Thursday 11th February 2010 in Your Town
A TEENAGER who had rowed with his girlfriend armed himself with an axe and kitchen knife then climbed on to the roof of his block of flats, a court heard.
Thomas Maloney threw furniture and crockery at policemen below, and the road had to be closed for safety.
He was eventually subdued when riot squad officers stormed his home and arrested him, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
Karen Brooks, prosecuting, said Maloney had been in a two-year relationship with a 16-year-old girl and on August 28, 2009, they went out and went back to his flat in Castle Street, Tyldesley.
They had a row, during which Maloney held her down on the sofa. She fled to the first floor roof but Maloney took her back inside. The girl again ran onto the roof and was helped down by a passing police officer.
Maloney then went on to the roof with a kitchen knife and axe.
He threatened to stab the police officer in the face so backup was called, the court heard. His erratic behaviour continued and he started to throw furniture and crockery on to the road, which was closed until the police’s tactical aid unit arrived.
Amanda Johnson, defending, said Maloney’s behaviour had been out of character. The couple had broken up a few days before the incident but they had still gone out that night.
Maloney, aged 18, of Castle Street, Tyldesley, pleaded guilty to affray and common assault. He was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision and ordered to carry out 180 hours’ unpaid work.
Judge Brian Lewis said: “This is the sort of loutish behaviour which people want to see stopped, and are crying out to our courts to make it clear that young people, like you, who drink to excess and behave in this grossly anti-social fashion, should be punished.”
Maloney is planning to move to Bolton and hopes to get an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist.
