Pensioner in armed siege after ‘taking wife hostage’
A TERMINALLY ill pensioner became locked in an armed standoff with police at his seaside home after allegedly taking his wife hostage.
The 73-year-old, named locally as Terry Bridger, allegedly took his wife, Dawn, 67, hostage on Sunday afternoon following a dispute at their bungalow in Pagham near Bognor Regis on the South coast.
He allowed her to go several hours later but refused to surrender to police, claiming to have a firearm and threatening to harm himself if they approached. Last night police were preparing for a second night of discussions with the man, who remains in the house.
A resident who lives close by said: “I’ve heard from friends and neighbours that the man is terminally ill.”
Sussex Police have been forced to close roads in the surrounding area and advised residents to stay inside, while trained negotiators attempted to persuade the man to give himself up.
As the siege continued, locals expressed their frustration, with some told they could not return home until the standoff was resolved.
Josephine Aslett, 64, said: “I was out on Sunday and when I came home there were loads of police around and they had to escort me and my friend back to the house. Some people weren’t allowed back to their houses at all, but luckily we were just on the edge.
“I have no idea who he is. It’s quite scary, really. I’ve lived here for 30 years and this is so unusual to happen on this street. It’s a lovely part of the world, right on the beach. We’ve got a zero per cent crime rate around here.”
Chief Supt Neil Honnor said: “I appreciate this must be a little disconcerting and frustrating for local residents having a continued large police presence outside their homes.
“The safety of the local community is paramount and we are doing all we can to resolve this ongoing incident in a controlled way.”