A MAN who climbed a derelict building in Kidderminster before throwing items off it and eventually assaulting police officers has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.
Stephen Collett, 40, of no fixed abode, was arrested after climbing the scaffolding around Derwent House at around 3am on Saturday (March 29).
Collett had been throwing numerous items including windows and metal off the scaffold from the tenth floor and endangering the public and police officers.
He had armed himself with a retractable knife he stole from the building – which is due to be demolished – further causing concerns for his welfare.
After a stand-off for several hours including negotiators, the fire and ambulance services, he was persuaded to come down and was arrested. He later assaulted two police officers.
On Tuesday (April 1) at Kidderminster Magistrates Court, Collett was convicted of multiple offences after pleading guilty to each count. He was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of the officers he assaulted.
Collett was convicted of using threatening behaviour to provoke unlawful violence, burglary other than dwelling, possession of a blade, criminal damage, harrassment, breach of a restraining order, and two counts of assault of an emergency worker.
