Man threatened to 'blow up the street' and shoot his fake hostage in head during 10-hour stand-off
21.03.2023 - 18:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man threatened to "blow up the street" and shoot a fake hostage in the head during 10-hour stand-off with armed police.
Callum Kerr, 32, of Partington Square, Sandymoor, was "off his box" on Class A drugs and alcohol for five days. Alongside Rachel Bates, 38, of The Uplands, Palacefields, the pair barricaded themselves at Bates' bungalow in Runcorn on Thursday, August 18 last year.
An armed siege ended in the pair's arrest at 11pm at night. John Oates, prosecuting at Chester Crown Court, on Friday, told how two officers arrived at the bungalow at 1.10pm to arrest Kerr and Bates over an alleged robbery that took place earlier that day. Bates was heard shouting she would "cut herself", telling them "“watch what happens when you come in", the Liverpool Echo reports.
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When police smashed the door open, they found an upturned sofa in the way with Kerr "hiding behind" while holding a suspected "knife or screwdriver" close to one of the constables. Kerr shouted: "I’ve got a hostage, back up or I’ll kill her.”
Meanwhile, Bates shouted: "We're in this together". However, Kerr continued to threaten to kill her. When officers heard Kerr had a 'pistol' the officers withdrew from the scene and waited for a firearms unit and negotiator.
A cordon was set up and neighbours were told to either return inside or evacuate. Kerr threatened police, saying: "I will cut the f***ing gas, I will blow the street.
“I’ve got a Beretta, you f***ing come here and I’ll blow her head off. Anyone comes near the garden, I will blow her head off. I’ll shoot her, I’ll shoot me and take a potshot at my f***ing head."
Mr Oates said the