Siege man pleads guilty

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 10/09/2008

The man who barracaded himself into a house on Midge Hall Drive and threatened to set it alight on Thursday afternoon (4 September) has pleaded guilty to wasting police time.

Peter Sastawnyuk, 54, has been released on conditional bail until he returns to Rochdale Magistrate's Court for sentencing on 30 September.

Sastawnyuk was arrested after the five hour siege ended peacefully. Neighbouring homes had been evacuated as a precaution after Sastawynuk claimed to have petrol on the premises and threatened to harm himself.

Bury Road was closed between War Office Road and Sandy Lane as the police and fire service set up their operations, causing traffic chaos during rush-hour.