A man has been charged after an incident in Bishop Auckland. 

Officers were called to Lowther Road on Wednesday morning following concerns for the welfare of a man on the roof of a home. 

Trained negotiators were at the scene for several hours before he surrendered to police - with pictures showing a man sitting on the roof tiles while a cordon surrounded the property. 

The man was eventually arrested and taken into police custody. 

Benjamin Ham, 48, was subsequently charged with coercive and controlling behaviour and intentional strangulation following a separate investigation.

Ham, of Cleveland Avenue, Bishop Auckland, was due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. 

A full statement from Durham Constabulary said: "A man has been charged following an incident in Bishop Auckland yesterday.

"Officers attended Lowther Road at 9.20am yesterday morning, following reports of a man on the roof of the house.

"Trained negotiators engaged with the 48-year-old for several hours before he surrendered to police.


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"He was arrested and taken into custody where he was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour and intentional strangulation following a separate investigation.

"Benjamin Ham, of Cleveland Avenue, Bishop Auckland is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates court this morning (July 18).

"Officers would like to thank residents for their patience and co-operation whilst they dealt with the incident."