A MAN went “berserk” after a row with his girlfriend, embarking on a rampage which ended with a four-hour roof-top siege at her home, a court heard.

Luther Paul Awkonum, also known as Smith, was jailed for four years for offences committed on and off roads in Peterlee, and then in the stand-off with police.

It resulted in the deployment of the police helicopter and a large number of officers on the ground.

The Northern Echo: STAND-OFF: Scene at Peterlee roof-top siege over which defendant Luther Awkonum faces trial later in year

DEBRIS: Scene of devastation left in Barsloan Grove, Peterlee, by defendant Luther Awkonum on April 11

Durham Crown Court heard the usually quiet residential street became a scene of devastation, with thousands of pounds worth of damage caused by the defendant, as he stripped slates from the roof to use as missiles to fire at police and neighbouring properties.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said Awkonum’s row with his girlfriend, in Edenhill Road, Peterlee, at 3.45pm on April 11, was the trigger for the events which followed.

He drove onto a path towards her and she jumped into a bush, damaging her ankle, to avoid being hit.

He then drove the Seat Ibiza at another car, which crossed a grassed area to avoid him.

Awkonum then pursued two passengers from that car, who had to dodge in and out of trees in Little Eden, to avoid the Seat.

Although one was hit by the car, he was not hurt.

The chase ended when the Seat became stuck in mud and Awkonum got out, produced a knife and headed to Christchurch Place, where he caused £7,000-worth of damage to a parked BMW, leaving it a write-off.

Awkonum reached his girlfriend’s home in Peterlee by 4.20pm, ringing her and demanding she attend.

Miss Waugh said the woman rang police, and, on their arrival at the house, the defendant took to the roof, where he spent the next four hours, shouting threats at negotiators, but also threatening to self-harm.

It was only at 9.10pm that he calmed, and had a cigarette, enabling police to gain entry and arrest him.

But, at the police station he erupted again, spitting in an officer’s face and damaging £271-worth of property..

Awkonum, 27, of Fairclough Court, Peterlee, admitted dangerous driving, while disqualified, and without insurance, affray, four counts of criminal damage and assault by beating.

Andrew Rutter, mitigating, said the defendant has no memory of events that day and at the time was “highly distressed”, suffering mental health difficulties.

Mr Rutter said Awkonum had not taken prescribed medication, but, now, “cuts a different figure”, complying with the prescribed dosage.

Awkonum apologised to Judge Simon Hickey, explaining he was targeted by men in Peterlee at the time.

Jailing him, Judge Hickey said he appeared to have, “gone berserk” in, “a very serious frightening episode over five-and-a-half hours of public disorder.”