A man accused of barricading himself inside a loft leading to a five-hour stand-off with armed police in County Durham has appeared in court. 

Paul Anthony Kailofer, 28, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on Friday (December 29), charged with criminal damage, threats to cause criminal damage, and possession of a knife.

Kailofer, of Dalton Crescent, Shildon, is said to have entered an Auckland Terrace property in Shildon at about 3pm on Wednesday (December 27) armed with a knife and later climbed onto the roof.

Armed officers and trained negotiators engaged with the man in the property for several hours before he surrendered to police.


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He was arrested and taken into custody where he was charged with the range of offences.

In court, Kailofer entered no pleas and was remanded to appear at Crown Court next month.

Officers from the Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police team held a ‘Pop Up PACT’ meeting in the area on Thursday (December 28) night to offer reassurance to residents and address their concerns.