ROOFTOP STAND-OFF: ‘MY WIFE WAS TRAPPED IN THE HOUSE WHILE THEY THREATENED TO BURN IT DOWN’
ELDERLY COUPLE CAUGHT UP IN ROOFTOP STAND-OFF
A TERRIFIED elderly woman was trapped in her home as two men scaled the roof, ripped off tiles and allegedly threatened to burn down the house. Graham and Susan Johnson, both in their mid-70s, live in the bungalow on Swinderby Gardens, Grimsby, that was the scene of a violent rooftop stand-off on Saturday.
Two men climbed onto the roof of the bungalow following a robbery at a nearby shop during which two people were assaulted.
The cul-de-sac was quickly swarming with police in riot gear and paramedics as the men smashed and ripped up tiles from the roof - throwing them down at officers. Neighbouring streets were also closed.
They also targeted the car owned by the elderly couple, smashing the windows and lights as well as denting the bodywork with roof tiles.
A police inspector suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital, and a second officer was also injured.
But for Graham and Susan, the worst part was that they were separated through the entire ordeal, as Graham had quickly popped to the supermarket, leaving Susan in the house alone. When Graham returned to Swinderby Gardens, he found the road closed off and police surrounding his house, all while Susan was inside.
He said: “I’d nipped out to Sainsbury’s and come back to find the road completely closed off by police. “My wife saw somebody go past the back window and she quickly called the police. I was most concerned about my wife more than the roof or the car.
She was in the house the entire time while the two men were smashing up the roof and one of the men even threatening to burn the house down. “My wife is too shaken up to speak about it, she has been through a lot today. The house is just a mess and the car is a write-off.”
Graham and Susan’s son, George, quickly headed down to the scene when he heard what was going on. He said: “They’re just completely shaken up by it. It’s disgusting, they’ve caused so much damage to the roof and the car. There’s damage to the back of the house as well.”
The pair eventually came down after several hours.
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Two men have been charged with multiple offences following a robbery and rooftop stand-off on Swinderby Gardens in Grimsby on Saturday.
“Declan McLaughlan, 23, of Carnforth Crescent, Grimsby, was charged with robbery, assault, two counts of assault of an emergency worker (two police officers), affray and two counts of criminal damage.
“Callum Burns, 21, of no fixed abode, was charged with robbery, assault, two counts of criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and affray. “Two people suffered minor injuries following a robbery at a nearby shop. A police officer that was injured at the scene was taken to hospital when he sustained a head injury. Thankfully his injuries were not serious and he has been discharged from hospital following treatment.
“The two men are due to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on Monday 11 January.”