Colchester: Roof stand-off (From Gazette)

Colchester: Roof stand-off

9:38am Monday 28th April 2008

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A man is due in court today after a 12-hour stand-off on a pub roof.

The drama, during which firefighters had to hose down the person, unfolded at the Odd One Out in Mersea Road, Colchester.

Police cordoned off the street outside because of rubble falling from the top of the listed building.

Drinkers in the pub's beer garden first spotted a man on top of homes between Fairfax Road and Lucas Road on Friday night.

They watched him make his way across the terraced rooftops to the hostelry, where he stayed until 8am on Saturday.

Police officers called for back-up from Colchester fire service.

Firefighters arrived with an aerial ladder platform, but had to retreat. However, they stayed at the scene and hosed down the man when his jacket was set alight.

Council workers cleared away debris from the road after the man came down.

The pub opened as normal at noon on Saturday.

Police arrested 25-year-old Ashley Mathers, of Honeysuckle Way, Colchester, in connection with the incident.

He faces a charge of affray, one of criminal damage with threats to endanger life, and four of criminal damage to property.

He was due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court today.

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