A burglar who climbed onto the roof of a house and hurled tiles at police officers during a nine-hour stand-off has been jailed for more than six years.

John Jo Barnett, 26, of no fixed abode, caused more than £25,000 damage after scrambling atop a house in Barrow Road, Waddon, to escape police.

He climbed onto the roof through his ex-partner Leontine Brett's loft after breaking into a neighbouring house, where he had stolen jewellery and music equipment. 

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Barnett threw tiles at police officers and cars

Police called to the burglary at about 10.30am on Friday, August 29, heard footsteps in the loft when they knocked at Brett's house. 

But Barnett refused to come down and clambered onto the house's roof, where he began breaking off tiles to lob at officers and vehicles.

He damaged five vehicles, including a police car and van that needed £16,000 repairs. He caused £8,000 damage to the roof. 

After a day-long stand-off involving police negotiators, Barnett finally came down and was arrested on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage.

They also arrested Brett, 35, on September 3 for helping to hide the stolen goods in her house. She had initially denied knowing her ex-lover had been in her house.

Barnett pleaded guilty to criminal damage and burglary and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison at Croydon Crown Court today. 

He was jailed for a further year for breaching a previous suspended sentence, and handed a restriction order banning him from Barrow Road for 15 years.

Brett was initially charged with handling stolen goods but later pleaded guilty on February 20 to possession of criminal property. She will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Constable Nick Billing, of 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."

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Barnett caused £8,000 damage to the roof