Man who sparked huge siege is jailed Firearms officers and police negotiators sent to flat
A man, who sparked a siege at a Stirling flat involving more than 20 police including firearms officers and trained negotiators after getting drunk with his ex, has been jailed.
Roderick Stewart, 40, had been released from prison only a few days earlier.
He went to the home of his former partner, a ground-floor flat in Cornton, on July 12 this year and both began drinking.
A huge stand-off followed after police “received intelligence about the accused, suggesting that [the woman] might be in danger”, Falkirk Sheriff Court was told.
Cheryl Clark, prosecuting, said that when local officers arrived, “voices were heard from inside the address, but there was no answer at the door”.
A team of public order officers was then sent to the scene, together with a team of trained negotiators, while
Youngsters in the Callander area have been joining forces to plant trees as part of their efforts to tackle climate change.
In recent months pupils at McLaren High School, from all year groups, led by a group of S5s, have been tackling the climate emergency.
As part of that, the school has taken on board the help of several Callander Nursery pupils, to plant their very own trees behind the school.
A spokesperson for McLaren High School said:“On the day, the high school through the flat’s partially-open windows, police could hear objects being placed against the inside of the door.
It was established that Stewart was inside the flat with two women. Through a window, officers then heard Stewart saying, “Give me back my blade”.
Stewart – described as “hostile and aggressive” – told police negotiators he had no intention of unlocking the door, which he had barricaded with furniture.
Ms Clark said: “He commented that he had a number of machetes in the flat, and if any police entered, ‘they would get it’.”
His former partner started to remove the barricade Stewart had erected, but he grabbed her clothing and pulled her away.
Eventually police forced the door, and Stewart was found hiding in bedroom cupboard.
He was handcuffed and placed in a cage in the rear of a police van, where he began kicking out and spitting. He was taken to Falkirk Police Office where he pupils worked hard to dig the holes and prepare everything for the nursery pupils to come and plant their own tree with their name on it.
“This was an especially rewarding experience for the high school pupils and similarly the nursery pupils will find satisfaction in the years to come knowing that they will have made an impact on the future climate.
“We hope everyone will get involved and support us along our journey to being more sustainable.” was charged.
Miss Clark, the depute fiscal, said the matter was “particularly intensive” in its impact on police resources and lasted “some time”.
At its peak, the incident tied up six police response officers, a duty response sergeant and an inspector, a dog handler, eight public order officers, one public order sergeant and police negotiators, while several armed response officers were “tactically located nearby”.
A Scottish Ambulance Service team and three ambulances were also sent to the scene.
Once the door was opened, both woman inside left the flat unharmed, but too much under the influence to be interviewed. They later told police they were too intoxicated to remember what had happened.
Stewart, of Stirling, who appeared by video link from Barlinnie Prison, pleaded guilty to a statutory breach of the peace.
The court heard Stewart had “a lengthy record for weapons and violence”.
Solicitor Virgil Crawford, defending, said Stewart and his former partner had been drinking together at her home at her invitation when police attended and banged loudly at the door.
Mr Crawford said: “Mr Stewart had no idea why they were there.
“He did make mention of machetes, but it’s worthy of comment that when the property was entered the police did not recover any such items.
“Despite what happened, [the woman] does not appear to have been in any difficulty or trouble.
“However Mr Stewart did not cooperate, and he accepts he will now pay a heavy price.”
Sheriff Simon Collins QC jailed Stewart for 236 days.
He said: “This was a serious and concerning offence, on top of a very serious record for violence and public disorder.
“Mr Stewart was also on licence, having been released only a couple of days beforehand.”