Man scaled Blackpool pier and threw bricks at police after stabbing

A man climbed a pier in Blackpool and hurled bricks at police after stabbing another man. Stefan Taylor refused to come down from the North Pier during a lengthy stand-off with officers.

Police were called to a report of a stabbing, in which a man in 20s was wounded to the leg, at about 10.30am on July 4. Taylor, who had been identified as the suspect, was spotted by officers shortly afterwards in Blackpool town centre, but he ran off when told to stop.

He ran to North Pier and scaled the poles of the pier to put himself on the wrong side of the railings. He then refused to get down and became abusive towards police, reports LancsLive.

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Taylor caused damage to the pier by ripping bricks from the brick work and throwing them towards officers. He also snapped the cables that connect the CCTV on the pier, causing further damage.

He refused to engage with officers and stayed in his place on the pier for more than two hours. The concern for his safety prompted a huge emergency services response.

He was eventually arrested after a police negotiator talked him down. Taylor was found with cannabis on him and was arrested for that as well as the stabbing and damage.

The 36-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding, criminal damage, intentionally/recklessly causing a public nuisance and possession of Class B drugs. He was jailed for five years at Preston Crown Court on Thursday (November 7).