House siege man charged

Bury Road was closed to traffic in both directions from the junction with Roch Valley Way/Sandy Lane

The man who barracaded himself into a house on Midge Hall Drive and threatened to set it alight on Thursday afternoon (4 September) has been charged with wasting police time.

54-year-old Peter Sastawnyuk was arrested after the five hour siege ended peacefully. Neighbouring homes had been evacuated as a precaution after Sastawynuk claimed to have petrol on the premises and threatened to harm himself.

Bury Road was closed between War Office Road and Sandy Lane as the police and fire service set up their operations, causing traffic chaos during rush-hour.

Sastawynuk was charged with the offence on Friday (5 September). He appeared before magistrates in Rochdale on Saturday (6 September) and has been remanded on bail until a trial tomorrow (Tuesday 9 September).