A MAN has been charged in connection with an incident at a bookmakers where armed police were called.
The incident happened on the evening of Sunday, January 8.
Alistair Gallow, 39, of Percy Street, in Jarrow, has been charged with nine offences, including false imprisonment and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.
He is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning.
Officers were called to the Coral branch in Grange Road, Jarrow, just before 6pm on Sunday, after reports of a man thought to have a gun.
Specialist firearms officers surrounded the bookmakers while police negotiators spoke with the man to try to get him to leave the store safely.
Police used a projectile launcher, classed as a ‘less lethal’ weapon, routinely carried by firearms officers, to bring the incident to a conclusion without anyone being hurt.
Four people who were inside the premises with the man and all left unharmed.
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