A MAN engaged in a two-hour rooftop siege with police said he wanted $20 million and a getaway helicopter.

Edward Hughes climbed on to the roof of his home in Hazel Grove, Mold, when officers went to arrest him.

Flintshire Magistrates’ Court at Mold was told yesterday that officers were there because he had been recalled to prison.

Hughes climbed up on to the roof and filmed officers below with a camcorder.

He said he would post it on YouTube and shouted that police were corrupt.

Hughes, 50, also known as Edward Squires, now of Queen’s Park in Mold, denied obstruction but was convicted.

He was fined £100 with £615 costs but immediately announced he intended to appeal.

Huw Evans, prosecuting, told how a police sergeant and a constable went to the house to arrest Hughes, who then climbed up on to the roof and refused to come down.

He was charged with obstructing PC Kevin Hackett, who told the court Hughes was dancing around on the roof, treating it like a joke.

“He said he would not be coming down without a helicopter and $20 million,” the officer explained.

After two hours, a senior officer decided to withdraw police and leave him there.

Cross-examined by Bob Hanratty, defending, PC Hackett said he had told Hughes to come down or he would be arrested, but had not said what he would be arrested for. Mr Hanratty did not call Hughes to give evidence but submitted that magistrates could not find his client guilty.

He said that despite long delays in the case the prosecution had still not produced the prison recall notice.

They could not rely on someone’s entry on the police national computer, he said.

Mr Hanratty also argued his client had not obstructed PC Hackett, who had been tasked to secure the front of the house. After the hearing, Hughes said he had a video recording of the whole incident and he would be appealing against the conviction.

Hughes was previously convicted in his absence of the charge but the case was reopened after a bail act charge, alleging that he failed to turn up in court, was set aside.

A further hearing was aborted after legal arguments and yesterday’s hearing was
the third trial date.