Two are charged after report of petrol bomb
MORE DETAILS EMERGE OF DISTURBANCE ON BURTON STREET, INCLUDING REPORTS OF A PETROL BOMB
TWO men who were arrested after police responded to reports of a “disturbance” in a Burton street have now been charged.
As reported in yesterday’s Burton Mail, emergency services – including police, firefighters and paramedics – headed to Horninglow Road North in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It has since emerged that fire services had responded to reports of a petrol bomb.
Two men were subsequently arrested and now John Joseph Collins and Martin Collins have been charged, police officers have revealed, and they were due to appear in court yesterday.
One has been charged with offences including causing an explosion.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman told the Burton Mail: “Two men have been charged following a disturbance in Burton.
“Police were called to Horninglow Road North at 12.50am yesterday morning (Wednesday, April 7) to several reports of a disturbance in the street.
“John Joseph Collins, 41, of Horninglow Road North, has been charged with violent disorder, causing an explosion likely to endanger life/injure property and possess/ control explosive with intent to endanger life/injury property.
“Martin Collins, 18, of Horninglow Road North, has been charged with violent disorder and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
“Both men are due to appear before magistrates at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre today (Thursday, April 8).”
The Burton street had to be cordoned off when firefighters received reports of a possible petrol bomb.
Fresh details have emerged about the disturbance in Horning low Road North in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police told the Burton Mail they were called out to “reports of disorder” and an aggravated burglary.
A car had also been smashed up, with two men arrested and a woman taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.
But now firefighters have revealed they were called to the scene to deal with reports of a petrol bomb.
A spokesman said: “Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 1am to reports of a petrol bomb in the street on Horning low Road North, Burton.
“Crews from Burton and Barton-under-need wood attended. There was no damage to any properties.”
The spokesman has not said whether there was any evidence of a bomb when crews arrived, but has been asked to provide clarification on that point. The Burton Mail is yet to receive a response.
Neighbour Lez Watson, who has lived in the road for nine years, said: “I was woken up around 1am, I think, but I just thought it was revellers down the street.
“I looked out the front and could see an ambulance and lots of police cars, and a short period later a couple more turned up.
“I knew something had kicked off and there were a couple of police cars still parked here in the morning. I heard some shouting but I just thought some people had just been having a good time.”
“It’s pretty quiet around here, bearing in mind it’s a main road, but it’s a fairly peaceful area. Generally it’s a quiet area.”
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “I didn’t know anything had happened until I woke up this morning. I did notice that the road was quiet but it was shut off. The dog wasn’t even disturbed. It does worry me as I live here on my own. “My dog will alert me to things going on, but not last night. “Generally, on the whole, the area is all right. I’ve never had any trouble.” Another said: “I slept right through it and the road was normal when I woke up. It is usually all right around here. “It’s a shock really, it’s very unusual..”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 1am to reports of a petrol bomb in the street
Fire Service