Jail for burglar who lobbed roof tiles at police

John Jo Barnett (26) sentenced to six years and four months. Pic: Met Police

John Jo Barnett (26) sentenced to six years and four months. Pic: Met Police

A burglar who caused £25,000 worth of damage throwing roof tiles at police officers during a nine-hour stand off was sentenced to six years and four months in prison.

John Jo Barnett, 26, climbed to the roof of his ex-partner’s house and hurled slates at the police after they were called to Barrow Road in Croydon following reports of a burglary.

Barnett caused £8,000 worth of damage to the roof and £16,800 to two police vehicles that were parked at the scene, Croydon Crown Court heard.

The court gave a prison order of five years and four months after Barnett, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage. This sentence was extended to another 12 months as he had breached a previous suspended sentence. He also received an order restraining him from going to Barrow Road for the next 15 years.

The incident occurred in August last year when the police arrived to investigate a robbery. When officers made enquiries at a neighbouring house, they spoke with Barnett’s former partner, 35-year-old Leontine Brett who denied there was anyone in her house, despite officers hearing footsteps coming from the loft.

When the police called up, Barnett refused to come down and made his way to the roof. He then broke off roof tiles and started throwing them at the police officers and their vehicles.

Roof tiles thrown at police and vehicles during nine hour stand off. Pic: Met Police

Roof tiles thrown at police and vehicles during nine hour stand off. Pic: Met Police

After nine hours of negotiations, Barnett gave up, came down and was arrested.

The police found out that the items reported stolen from another house on the street were hidden in Brett’s house. The stolen possessions included jewellery and music equipment.

In September last year, police arrested and charged Brett for her involvement in hiding and handling the stolen goods. She pleaded guilty in February this year.

Damaged caused by tiles to police vehicle. Pic: Met Police

Damage caused by thrown roof tiles to police vehicle. Pic: Met Police

Detective Constable Nick Billing, from Croydon CID, said: “Barnett caused a huge amount of disruption and damage during this incident. Along with all the police resources required to seal off the area and negotiate with him to come down, the fire brigade and ambulance service were also in attendance to assist and be on stand-by in case he fell from the roof.”

He added: “This has had a devastating impact on the victims’ of the burglary as well, who had property of real sentimental value stolen and whose home was ransacked.”

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