Greengates stand-off: Man threatened to shoot police

James Callaghan barricaded himself into his flat in New Line, Greengates, shortly before 7.30am on February 2 last year causing 12 hours of massive disruption, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

AS IT HAPPENED: Armed police swoop on Greengates flats in seven-hour standoff

In the course of the huge stand-off, armed police, firefighters and gas and electricity workers were called to the scene as irate Callaghan smashed windows and said he’d rip off the boiler and blow the place up.

Armed police at the scene in Greengates (Image: T&A)

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett told how Callaghan, 31, a paranoid schizophrenic, claimed to be armed with a sawn-off shotgun, a Colt 45 revolver and a bow and arrow.

The court heard that he was sent to a high security mental hospital in 2009 for offences of manslaughter and wounding. After his release, he was convicted of threatening behaviour and criminal damage in 2019 and sentenced to a community order by Bradford and Keighley magistrates.

Mrs Beckett said that events at Greengates unfolded at 7.22am when two police officers arrived to see Callaghan on an unrelated matter. He barricaded himself in and would only speak to them from behind the door.

He said they would have to break down the door to get in. Armed police would be needed and that the female officer ‘didn’t stand a chance.’ He shouted that he would ‘know how to pull the trigger.’ Callaghan next appeared at a window threatening to blow up the building.

An Armed Response Unit and the fire service were called.

Callaghan communicating with police (Image: T&A)

Mrs Beckett said that the level of threats was so severe that neighbouring properties were evacuated for the safety of the residents, many of them elderly and disabled.

By now Callaghan was saying he had cut an artery in his leg. He was playing loud music as the area was evacuated and the major route between Bradford and Leeds closed.

A trained police negotiator was called in as Callaghan reeled off the list of weapons he said were in his possession.

The gas and electricity workers arrived after he threatened to pull off the boiler and blow the place up.

He smashed a window, threw objects out and by 3pm he had set the flat on fire. Smoke and flames were seen coming from the window and the firearms officers and firefighters prepared to move in.

Armed police were called to the scene (Image: T&A)

Callaghan got out on to a ledge and was taken down by ladder and handcuffed.

He was aggressive and abusive at Trafalgar House Police Station and refused to answer questions.

There were three points of fire in the flat. Two sofas and a toaster had been set alight and no attempt made to put out the blazes.

The court heard that up to 25 local residents were displaced, including ten that were elderly and vulnerable. One woman took in 12 people and two dogs to give them a safe refuge during the stand-off.

Among those whose homes were evacuated was a wheelchair-bound man aged 98 who had cancer.

The disruption continued for 12 hours

Mrs Beckett said the disruption lasted until 7pm and included huge difficulties for bus services and drivers needing to use that route.

“It was a full-blown scene that took all day to resolve,” she said.

Callaghan went on to plead guilty to reckless arson, criminal damage to windows belonging to Incommunities, and causing a nuisance to the public by delaying apprehension by the police, threatening police officers with weapons, threatening to start a fire and setting fire within 212 New Line, Bradford.

Dr Paul Beavan, Callaghan’s treating forensic psychiatrist, said he had paranoid schizophrenia but was a lot better since being moved from HMP Leeds to a hospital and receiving the correct medication.

Dr Beavan agreed with Judge Jonathan Rose that Callaghan could be highly dangerous if released from hospital in the near future. His use of alcohol and possibly illegal drugs combined with his poor compliance for taking his medication had triggered his uncontrolled mental state.

Callaghan’s barrister, Shila Whitehead, said he was remorseful and had the support of his mother. He was now getting the help he so badly needed.

Police negotiators were brought in

Judge Rose said Callaghan had had significant mental health issues for many years and the events of February 2 last year were not just criminal acts.

He had a psychotic illness and when he was unwell he believed he didn’t need to take his medication, leading to a dramatic deterioration in his mental health at that time.

“A disastrous state of affairs” resulted, with a 12-hour full-blown emergency.

Judge Rose made an indefinite Hospital Order with a restriction. Callaghan will only be let out when it was considered safe to do so.