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Artur Napierkowski admits offences after 24-hour rooftop stand-off in Cliftonville, Margate

A man who hurled tiles during a 24-hour rooftop protest in Margate has admitted 11 offences including assaulting four police officers.

Artur Napierkowski, 30, also pleaded guilty to damaging three cars and two buildings during the siege in March.

He appeared by video link from a Kent mental health unit and the 15-minute hearing was translated into Polish.

VIDEO: Napierkowski hurls tiles from the rooftop. Courtesy of
Lottie Gater-Waller

Napierkowski, of Northdown Road, Cliftonville will now be examined by two psychiatrists before he is sentenced later this year.

Police were called to the corner of Ethelbert Road in the early hours on March 8 after a report he had climbed to the top of a building.

After his arrest he was ordered to be detained under the Mental Health Act pending psychiatric investigations.

The scene in Northdown Road, Margate at the time of the incident. Picture: Chris Davey
The scene in Northdown Road, Margate at the time of the incident. Picture: Chris Davey
Napierkowski had been throwing tiles. Picture: Chris Davey
Napierkowski had been throwing tiles. Picture: Chris Davey

Following discussions with his lawyer Phil Rowley, Canterbury Crown Court was told he was now able to enter pleas to 13 charges.

Napierkowski, dressed in a grey sweater and flanked by two medical staff, answered “Yes I’m guilty” to unlawfully wounding PC Edward Poole and causing an affray.

He also admitted assaulting officers Ben Rabey and Mark Haughton with intent to resist arrest and to common assault on PC Franklin.

An interpreter was speaking with the man from Bath Road
An interpreter was speaking with the man from Bath Road
Damaged cars, the scene in a side street off Northdown Road, Margate
Damaged cars, the scene in a side street off Northdown Road, Margate

Five other charges of causing damage to a Rover, a Peugeot 307, Volvo S40 and two properties at 52 and 49 Northdown Road, Cliftonville were also admitted.

But Napierkowski denied wounding a policeman with intent to cause him serious harm, possessing cocaine and stealing a laptop and mobile from his mother Barbara and they were ordered to be left on the file.

Judge Heather Norton then adjourned sentence so the experts could provide their reports when Napierkowski is expected to appear again by video link at the next hearing.

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