Two Enfield brothers in rooftop escape threw tiles in attempt to avoid arrest from police
BY YANN TEAR
yann@londonweeklynews.online
Two brothers who sparked a firearms scare and evacuation of homes in Camden have pleaded guilty to charges relating to their escapade, writes Yann Tear.
It involved an attempt to get away from officers via rooftops and the throwing down of tiles in a stand-off. Billy Watson, 20, and his sibling Charlie, 18, both of Tile Kiln Lane, Enfield, admitted causing a public nuisance, affray and two counts of criminal damage.
The pair entered their pleas at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday and will be sentenced on May 30.
The court heard how on Tuesday, March 26, at about 5pm, patrolling officers noticed two men acting suspiciously near a motorbike in a car park off Kingsgate Road, Camden.
The officers stopped their car to speak to the men, but both ran off, climbing over garden fences in an attempt to escape. The men then climbed, via scaffolding, on to the roofs of a nearby terrace houses.
Additionally members of the public reported to officers that the men were believed to be in possession of a firearm.
The men refused to get down from the roof and threw tiles and objects towards the officers on the ground, causing damage to surrounding properties.
Because of the reports of a firearm, some residents had be to evacuated to ensure their safety, and a large cordon was put in place.
Both men remained on the roof until 12.40am before climbing down, when they were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, public nuisance and affray.
No firearm was located following a search of the area. Detective Constable Dean Puzey said: “Owing to the nature of the incident, the attendance of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was necessary, but I am aware the noise disturbed many people.
“Both these men broke tiles off the roofs and threw them at officers, endangering their safety and causing damage to many properties.
I hoped the prosecution will reassure the local community that those cause such wanton damage and disruption will face the consequence of their actions.”