Man’s bridge jump threat that led to 2-hour standstill was ‘cry for help’

LEICESTER’S outer ring road was brought to a standstill for two hours when a man threatened to jump off a bridge in a “cry for help”, a court heard.

Three fire engines and nine police officers were called out as Jamie Dobson stood on the edge of the Watergate Lane bridge over the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way, in Braunstone Town.

Traffic was held up temporarily on both sides of the dual carriageway before a decision was taken to shut the road completely between the McDonald’s and Meridian Leisure Park roundabouts.

Prosecutor Eunice Opare-Addo told Leicester Crown Court that police were called to a bridge over the A563 at about 10.40am on July 20.

She said: “The police found the defendant on the wrong side of the railings. His legs were dangling over the ledge.

“He was sitting over the northbound carriageway.”

Ms Opare-Addo said Dobson told officers “his life was a total mess”.

“Several police officers tried to dissuade him from jumping,” she added.

Firefighters had cut away part of the railings on the bridge to be able to get to Dobson. Paramedics were also called to the scene.

Ms Opare-Addo said that firefighters and other officers then grabbed the defendant and pulled him away from the edge of the bridge.

“Significant disruption was caused with the road being closed,” she said.

Ms Opare-Addo said 29-year-old Dobson had 14 convictions for 26 offences, including criminal damage, theft and battery.

The defendant, of Telford Way, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, pleaded guilty on August 6 at Leicester Magistrates’ Court to causing a public nuisance.

Pree Brada, mitigating, said her client was working hard to turn his life around.

She said: “This caused massive disruption at a huge cost to the public purse.

“This was, effectively, a cry for help

“He felt he had had a lack of support. He now has an offer of paid employment and is back in contact with his children.

“He is in a stable relationship and has a stable home.”

Recorder Helen Malcolm QC said: “This involved three fire engines, nine police officers and damage to railings, substantial public disruption and potentially a horrific accident.

“He is a young man who seems to have made enormous strides to try to turn his life around. I have no wish to interrupt that process.”

The judge sentenced Dobson to a six-month community order with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement order to provide him with drug and alcohol counselling support.