Thousands of pounds in roof tiles hurled by John Jo Barnett at police officers for 9 hours. Image: Met Police

26 year old burglar John Jo Barnett has been jailed for six years and four months for wrecking a terraced roof and police vehicles by flinging roof tiles at officers.

He’d pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage before being sentenced at Croydon Crown Court.

John Jo Barnett jailed for 6 years and 4 months. Image: Met Police

Police were called to a burglary in progress in Barrow Road, Croydon on 29th August last year.

Barnett climbed onto the roof, broke off numerous roof tiles from the terraced block, hurling them towards officers below and damaged five vehicles, including a police car and van that were parked below.

Police negotiators were called to the scene and after a nine-hour stand-off, Barnett eventually came down safely.

But he’d caused more than £25,000 worth of damage, with around £8,000 damage to the roofs, and a combined £16,800 worth of damage to the two police vehicles.

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Detective Constable Nick Billing, from Croydon CID, said:

Barnett caused a huge amount of disruption and damage during this incident. Along with all the police resources required to seal off the area and negotiate with him to come down, the fire brigade and ambulance service were also in attendance to assist and be on stand-by in case he fell from the roof.

His actions were incredibly dangerous and selfish and he will now be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars because of it.

His ex-partner, Leontine Brett was also involved, telling officers that she didn’t know he was inside her house, and then hiding the items that he’d only just stolen from her neighbour in cupboards and under beds.

This has had a devastating impact on the victims’ of the burglary as well, who had property of real sentimental value stolen and whose home was ransacked.