VIDEO: Margate High Street drama as man threatens to jump from Boots
A DRAMATIC roof-top protest in Margate town centre has been brought to a peaceful conclusion this lunchtime after the intervention of an Isle of Thanet Gazette reporter.
Police officers were called at 9.25am after a man, named at the scene as Daniel, scaled the roof of the Boots store in the High Street and unfurled a banner reading: "Why should I be punished coz I want to see my kids?"
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The protestor, named locally as Daniel, with his banner on the roof of Boots in Margate
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Margate High Street this morning after a man climbed to the roof of the Boots store
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Isle of Thanet Gazette reporter Saul Leese proved to be the hero of the hour
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The scene during the stand-off in Margate
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Onlookers gathered outside a bank in Margate as the stand-off continues
He threatened to jump from the roof and as a precaution the High Street, Cecil Square and Elephant Hill were closed by the police.
Speaking from the scene this morning, the Isle of Thanet Gazette's Laura Archer told This is Kent: "Police have just proposed to walk up and join him, but Dan has insisted that if they come any further he will jump off.
"Police are asking why can't they come and speak to him at the back of the roof, so that there is no shouting or commotion."
The tense stand-off continued for more than two hours until the man asked to speak with a member of the media. Gazette man Saul Leese was sent up to speak to him and within minutes the drama was brought to an end.
Speaking shortly after helping talk the man down, Saul said: "He told me how angry he was that he was having problems contacting his three children.
"He felt incredibly angry and wanted to tell his story to the press. I am very glad that he did come down and pleased to have been able to help the police."
After a 20 minute conversation, with a police officer standing well back, the man agreed to come down and was promptly arrested.
Chief Inspector Rory Welburn said: "We had concerns for his welfare. We negotiated with him and would like to thank Saul for helping to bring him down."
This footage taken at the start of the stand-off earlier this morning was shot by the Gazette's Andrew Woodman:
These two short clips were recorded during the stand-off by the Gazette's Laura Archer:
Were you in Margate town centre? Have you got pictures or video of the dramatic scenes this morning? If you have then email them to reporter Rhys Griffiths.
8 Comments
by bulldog1944
Thursday, September 15 2011, 5:04PM
“Well done Saul, you must have sympathised with the man.
Yours mate Carole”
by bertieRb8
Thursday, September 15 2011, 3:05PM
“As 'Boozy Bob' the Thanet Times' first (and best) pub columnist (circa 1993-1995) I'd like to congratulate my successor for talking Danny down... top job Saul.
Hic...”
by howardmcs
Thursday, September 15 2011, 12:12PM
“thanks for the clarification danny, whether that will appease the people incovenienced is another thing.”
by dannya01
Thursday, September 15 2011, 11:32AM
“ok let me clear sumfin up....i have never done this before..this was what i felt my only way to get my voice heard over the way i have been treated by the so called justice system...why should i be punished for wanting to see my kids...after splitting with my ex 3 years ago i saw my children every weekend without fail..they love coming to see me and i love having them..my ex moved on has a new b/f an baby with him...i never had a problem with that....this started in march this year wen on the phone to my youngest wishing him a happy birthday my exs b/f called my daughter a f***ing cow..i asked to speak to him and went mad down the fone saying how dare he talk to my daughter like that...admitedly i went a bit crazy shouting an swearing at him...then the next day my ex said i can no longer see my children...jus like that...so i texted and called her everyday simply asking WHY CANT I SEE MY KIDS??? then i find myself being arrested for harrassment?? how does that work out...i was only asking why cant i see my kids....i attended court and this will make you laugh even after admitting the texts i sent werent of an abusive or threatening manner the sentanced me to one years probation...1 years thinking course....150 hours community service...a fine..and a restraining order not to contact my ex...so i text the b/f fone..he then says she agrees for me to see them again so when i texted his fone to arrange a time she rang the police and told them ive breached the order....they then arrest me again back in court but then this time im held on REMAND for 9 days in highdown prison...after gettin bail im told i cant enter not jus my kids street but im not allowed in the f***ing county of sussex where they live and have to sign the police station daily in margate till my trial in october for breaching the restraining order....SO SORRY FOR DISRUPTING YOUR DAY YESTERDAY PEOPLE OF MARGATE.....BUT WHERE THE HELL IS THE JUSTICE IN THAT?????? ALL I WANT TO DO IS NOT BE PUNISHED FOR TRYING TO SEE MY KIDS......oh and for the record i never was gonna jump i jus wanted to get my voice heard...as for manofkent11 shut da f*** up wen u dont know the reasons of wat i did”
by howardmcs
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 10:19PM
“not the first time has tried this according to locals of whom some were shouting "jump".
is this correct?”
by RhysGriffiths
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 6:13PM
“To be fair, Howard, he'd never have managed to fit 'because' on that sheet.”
by howardmcs
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 5:56PM
“well done to saul the first rescue of a text speaker recorded for posterity.”
by ManOfKent11
Wednesday, September 14 2011, 11:32AM
“What does this idiot think he will achieve by doing this? It just causes disruption and inconvenience to people trying to go about their business.”