Simon Harris, 37, has appeared in court after a two-day stand-off with police who grabbed the sleeping suspect from a roof. Harris made a brief appearance in the dock at Manchester Magistrates' Court.
Charges and Court Appearance
Harris, of no fixed address, was not legally represented during the five-minute hearing. He is accused of six offences between August 14 and 16, including burglary – entering a property in Reservoir Street, Salford, Greater Manchester and stealing T-shirts and rum punch – according to charges read out in court.
He is also accused of two counts of assaulting an emergency worker – two police officers – intentionally causing a public nuisance by sitting on a roof, and two counts of criminal damage to separate properties.
Remand and Pre-Trial Hearing
Harris entered no pleas to the charges. Bail was opposed by prosecutor Hannah Nicholls, who told the court the case was too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates' court. District Judge Simon Blakebrough remanded Harris into custody for a pre-trial hearing on September 21 at Manchester Crown Court.
Arrest and Police Response
Greater Manchester Police earlier released footage showing the moment an officer climbed a ladder on to the roof of a back porch in Ash Street, Salford, grabbing the suspect, who was lying down. He was pulled down the ladder, with his trousers appearing to fall down, before being arrested by officers in the garden of the property.
The force said two officers suffered minor injuries during the incident on Saturday. Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bagnall thanked members of the public after the man's arrest, which came after a two-day emergency service response.
She said: "This was an extensive use of vital policing resources and clearly demonstrates the dangers our officers face on a daily basis in order to protect the people of Greater Manchester. Two of our officers suffered minor injuries during this incident. I would like to reiterate my thanks to the people of Salford for their patience and understanding whilst emergency service personnel dealt with this incident."
