A man who put emergency services personnel and the public at risk during a five-hour siege in Buxton has been jailed.

Police were called to a flat at Albert Court, off London Road, at around 11.22am on 5 January this year and found Sam Johnson throwing items out of the window of his partner’s flat, some of which were on fire.

He was holding a large machete and threatening to harm officers.

Smoke was seen coming from inside the property and flames from the items he had thrown outside had begun to spread.

A cordon was put in place and a number of properties in the immediate vicinity also had to be evacuated.

Negotiators and specialist firearms officers were called to the scene as Johnson refused to leave the address and repeatedly failed to engage with police.

Some of the items thrown from the flat damaged neighbouring properties, a vehicle belonging to a neighbour and a fire engine.

Johnson began throwing items on to the forecourt of the Tesco petrol station, which had to be closed temporarily.

At around 4.15pm, officers forced entry to the property and arrested Johnson.

At Derby Crown Court on Monday (5 June), Johnson, 27, of Hardwick Mount, Buxton, was jailed for four years and one month with an extended licence period of 36 months after admitting arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, criminal damage and affray.

Detective Sergeant Nicola Bateman said: “Johnson put our officers, other emergency services personnel and members of the public at risk throughout this five-hour siege which began when he was refused money to buy cannabis.

“This appalling and reckless behaviour caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the rented flat and also tied up emergency services resources for several hours.”

Every wall in the property was damaged, every window smashed with all furnishings either destroyed, burnt, or thrown from the address.

The bathroom suite was destroyed, and Johnson had also smashed his way through the plasterboard between rooms.

DS Bateman said: “Officers were subjected to abuse, threats and even had missiles thrown at them as they attempted to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. Thankfully no-one was injured but this kind of behaviour could have led to tragic consequences.

“Many people were affected by this prolonged and dangerous incident, so it is pleasing to see Johnson is now behind bars for his shocking behaviour on that day.”

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