Man was 'armed' with Cillit Bang during Stoke-on-Trent siege
POLICE were involved in a 19-hour stand-off with a householder who had armed himself – with a bottle of household cleaning fluid.
At least 100 officers surrounded Richard Jablonski's home in Weston Coyney last January after someone called police to say he had a gun.
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January's siege in Aster Close
Following the siege Mr Jablonski was arrested and charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
But the case was dropped at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday after it was accepted the 38-year-old was actually holding a bottle of the Cillit Bang cleaning product during the incident.
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Staffordshire Police have always refused to reveal the cost of the Aster Close siege, despite coming under pressure from their own police authority members.
Paul Spratt, prosecuting, told the court yesterday: "When officers got to the address the defendant was alleged to have produced a gun, before retiring into the property and holding them at bay.
"The defendant asserted what he was holding was a bottle of Cillit Bang.
"There is an unresolvable conflict between the evidence from the police and the evidence of the defendant. Therefore the prosecution offers no evidence in this case."
Judge Paul Glenn returned a not guilty verdict. Mr Jablonski had been due to stand trial early next month.
Armed police cordoned off part of the Weston Heights estate and a section of the A520 Leek Road as they tried to coax Mr Jablonski out of the house during the siege on January 6.
After the incident, officers recovered a BB gun from Mr Jablonski's kitchen, although it is now accepted he was not holding the firearm during the siege.
Staffordshire Police today defended the Aster Close operation.
In a joint statement with Staffordshire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the force said: "The CPS, after consulting with Staffordshire Police, has decided to offer no evidence, for legal and evidential reasons. For the duration of the incident the police response was overseen by highly-trained and skilled officers who managed the situation in a measured manner and ultimately brought it to a safe and peaceful conclusion.
"Despite the outcome of the court case the police response was entirely necessary and proportionate.
"We recognise the disruption this incident caused to the local community at the time and wish to thank people for their support and understanding.
"Staffordshire Police take reports of incidents where firearms are believed to be involved very seriously. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety of the public, our officers and those individuals involved."
Comments
by stevenweiss
Tuesday, June 19 2012, 7:46PM
“I wonder where they got 100 police officers from at such short notice. One would think he'd forgotton to pay a parking fine”
by bigmouth666
Friday, June 15 2012, 10:11AM
“The guy could have had a gun. The Police were told he had been seen with a gun, he said he would use it. The police responded in the way they should to protect the public. Local rag once again attacking the police for no reason.”
by Shoelou
Friday, June 15 2012, 7:54AM
“People are far to quick to judge the police.
The bloke said he had a gun and that he would shoot!
What would you do!
You'd soon critasize the police if the didn't do it properly and someone got hurt......!
The police haven't got ex-ray vision, they were following a call that a MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC made about a man with a GUN!!
Layoff the police guys!!!
I just hope that those who critisze them never have to call them!”
by nelsonl
Friday, June 15 2012, 5:31AM
“cillit bang is bloody **** as well, it would to of been domestic , it would of been a clean cut job lol”
by sloulou
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 11:19PM
“Only in Stoke-on-Trent Eh , Ever since I heard about this (my mother rang me as I no longer live in Stoke , wonder why that might be mmm) I can't stop laughing . sorry but .... then again I don't believe I am lol”
by E_D_Wivens
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 9:36PM
“You'll all be pleased to know that we are now laughing stocks on the national news, too. Well done Staffordshire Police for another stunningly successful operation. I suppose it gave them a chance to play with their guns and to pretend that they are real policeman. Methinks our local plod have been watching too many American SWAT and tac-police shows in the canteen, and it's gone to their heads.
Even my American colleagues know about this now, and with them knowing that I'm from Stoke-on-Trent, the ribaldry has commenced in earnest.”
by putmefootinit
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 8:56PM
“Will he be volunteering to clean the police cars with his cillit bang ?”
by Stokie_84
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 8:40PM
“The case was dropped!! Who cares wot he caused this whole stand off with, the intent was there. People hold up banks etc with random objects in carrier bags and go to prison. Why is this case and different. Ok maybe not send him to prison but he still needs to be punished for his actions. Basically its ok to cause a major disturbance and have your house surrounded by 100 police offices in a tense stand off, wasting taxpayers money .......... as long as its with a household cleaning substance!!”
by jefffb
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 8:36PM
“OMG these are the trained firearm officer who are protecting us. God protect us”
by Desker
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 8:16PM
“Later a senior Defective with the Police Farce commented : I think we may have over-reacted a bit when we heard him through the letterbox shout `OK Ma I am going to spray the whole area !'”