Sheffield man who smashed up flat and threw masonry at police sparked evacuation

Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 13 how Mark Owen, also known as Mark Bottom, ran amok at his rented home on Blyde Road, Fir Vale, Sheffield, and posed such a danger the flats where he lived had to be evacuated by police.

Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, said police were called to the three-storey complex after a neighbour became concerned about Owen who had accessed a flat roof from his kitchen about 1am, on April 5.

Mr Littlewood added: “As police approached he raised a brick in the air to throw it at officers.”

Owen told police he wanted a female to leave his flat and she did so in tears, according to Mr Littlewood.

Police described Owen as erratic and agitated and he threw a drink, smashed a window and threatened to hurt himself with a piece of glass.

Mr Littlewood said: “He smashed a window and threw tiles and a concrete roof block but fortunately no officers were harmed.”

Owen threatened to burn the flat and set fire to a pizza box and threw rocks towards police and set fire to a blanket before he was arrested at 7am.

Mr Littlewood added masonry was thrown at police and an estimated £4,540 of damage was caused to the Target Housing property.

Owen, aged 29, pleaded guilty to affray and to causing criminal damage.

Mr Littlewood said: “This was an offence in the dead of night and other occupants were asked to leave their flats in the early hours during the lockdown making it more distressing at the time.”

Richard Adams, defending, explained Owen has mental health issues and was seeking to withdraw from medication which he was not taking.

He added: “This is very early in the Covid-19 lockdown and he had difficulty accessing services and medication.”

Mr Adams said Owen struggles with emotional stability and he had a dispute with a partner and he had wanted her to leave but she refused.

Judge Peter Kelson QC, who said the fire service was also deployed during the incident, sentenced Owen to 18-months of custody.