A wanted Aberdeen man was arrested last night after a four and a half hour stand off with police on the roof of a city centre building.
Shirtless Corey Gibb was discovered on top of a two storey building on Langstane Place at around 11.20am yesterday.
It is understood he had climbed up via the bin area at the back of Gordon Bakery.
Police stand-off with wanted man after he climbed on roof of Aberdeen bakery
Gibb had been due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday, May 10 however after he failed to appear a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Last night police, who eventually managed to talk the 21-year-old down using a height vehicle, confirmed he was in custody and would appear in the dock on Monday.
Officers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue service were initially called to the scene after concerns were raised for a topless man who was refusing to come down from the roof of the city centre building.
The emergency services cordoned off a number of roads around the area.
Initially blue and white police tape blocked off Langstane Place at its junction with Crown Street and its junction with Bon Accord Street.
However this cordon was later reduced to Langstane Place’s junction with Gordon Street and Dee Street. This then became cordoned off at it’s junction with Union Street.
Once the area was secure police negotiators spent around four hours attempting to coax Gibb down.
Onlookers watched on throughout the process as he seemed at ease on the rooftop – despite being in such a dangerous position.
And after negotiations were unsuccessful, with a crowd of around 100 people watching on from Crown Street, at 3.30pm a fire service height appliance vehicle was manoeuvred onto Langstane Place.
Five minutes later, with the height appliance vehicle in position, the basket on the top of the crane was lifted up close to Gibb to see if he would get in and come down.
However, when the basket was lifted up beside him, he could be heard saying “I’m not getting in there”.
After this a police officer and fire fighter were strapped into the basket and lifted up into the air close to Gibb.
Following five minutes of conversation a harness was lowered onto the roof of the building and at 3.45pm Gibb got in and was lowered to the ground.
He was eventually led away by police at 3.50pm.
Inspector Ian McKinnon said: “This was an isolated incident involving one man and at no time was there any risk to the wider public.
“We would like to thank the community for their patience while the incident was dealt with.”
Gary McAllister, the nightshift manager at Gordon Bakery, explained the incident – which resulted in his business having to close early – has had a major financial impact.
The 25-year-old said: “We had to close a couple of hours early, we normally close at 3pm, so no customers were able to come at all during that time.
“It was quite devastating as a lot of work goes into making the products.
“So it’s been a big hit for us, especially on a Friday lunchtime as it’s our busiest time of the week.
“All of the freshly made products are now going to waste and we are giving some to charity.
“All in all it has cost us about £600 to £700 in lost trade.
“It was difficult to get into work as well.”
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said that the closure of Langstane Place also caused her to miss an appointment at the Job Centre on Dee Street.
The 54-year-old said: “I was supposed to have meeting at the Job Centre at 12.15pm, but I couldn’t get there so it was a real disruption for me.”
