Police kept at bay for seven hours by 53-year-old

A man arrested after a seven-hour gun siege in his Cricklewood home has walked free from court.

Anthony Heapy, 53, of Granville Point in Granville Road, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay �250 in compensation and �85 in court costs following the incident on Tuesday evening.

The 53-year-old refused to leave his 14th floor flat after police were called to the scene following reports of man brandishing a gun.

Residents in the tower block were evacuated and the area was condoned off as negotiators unsuccessfully tried to persuade Heapy to leave the property.

He was eventually dragged out by the police at around 7pm and taken to the Royal Free Hospital where he was treated for cuts to his hands.

Yesterday (Thursday), he appeared before Hendon Magistrates’ Court where he admitted causing more than �5,000 worth of criminal damage to homes below his flat after flooding his property.

He will be questioned in relation to an alleged firearms offence later in the year.