A BURGLAR who launched into a five hour stand-off with police, hurling roof tiles at officers, has been convicted.

Jacob Trussler was spotted by police burgling a pub in Southampton Street at 10pm on Monday, June 26.

As they tried to arrest him the 32 year-old fled to Kensington Road where he climbed onto a bungalow roof and began hurling roof tiles at the police officers below.

Trussler stayed on the roof for hours, prowling up and down whilst pelting nearby vehicles with the slates.

Neighbours living in the road saw riot police along with police dogs called during the stand off.

Eventually Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue service arrived at the scene and helped remove Trussler from the roof at 8am the next day.

He was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody where he was charged on Wednesday, June 28.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Stuart Streeter, from Reading Local Area CID, said: "Not only did Trussler burgle a pub, but he then went on to climb a roof in order to avoid arrest.

"This was an extremely dangerous action which meant that the road had to be closed for a significant period of time. By throwing tiles from the roof, he could have seriously injured himself, the public or emergency services personnel who were trying to do their jobs."

Speaking the morning after the stand-off one resident said: "The resident who lives inside the property said: "I heard a loud bang and I woke up. It was about 4am.

"When I opened the door there were loads of police outside and a police helicopter and some dogs.

"The told me to stay inside. He was walking up and down my roof, I don't know how many times.

"He started throwing slates off of the roof."

Appearing at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday, June 29, he admitted one count of burglary non-dwelling, four counts of criminal damage, two counts of assaulting police and one count of causing a public nuisance.

Trussler, of Surrey Road, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on a date to be determined.