Man arrested after spade thrown at police officer (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Darlington man climbed up tree in six-hour stand-off with police

3:18pm Tuesday 18th December 2012 in News By Steven Hugill

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of assault after climbing up a tree and throwing a spade at a police officer.

The man, in his 40s, climbed the tree in Tom Raine Court, in Darlington, around 7pm on Monday evening, before shouting abuse at police officers during a six-hour stand-off.

When police tried to use a ladder to get him down, the man threw the spade which hit an officer and caused a small cut to his head.

Police said the man, who is from the Darlington area, eventually climbed down from the tree himself.

A police spokeswoman said: “He was safely wedged in the tree about 15 feet off the ground, and officers didn’t need to take action because he wasn’t causing a risk to the public.

“He threw the spade when we put the ladders up and an officer suffered a very minor injury.”