Armed police settle moorings row

A BOATER was so incensed at what he was being charged by a landlord for mooring his boat on the Beverley and Barmston Drain, that no only did he shoot at him and his wife but threatened to blow up their barn!

It needed armed police to control the situation, who then arrested boater Joseph Hurley who also took pot shots at a telephone line at the remote location, Rob McLean tells us.

'Going to shoot then all'

He lived on his boat by Jolly Tar Farm at Wilfholme, the home where the Harrrisons also live, and after firing his gun he shouted at the police that he was 'going to shoot them all'.

At Hull Crown Court it was revealed that Hurley, 23, had previous convictions including arson, was seen driving 'like a maniac' towards the farm' and let himself in.

He was drunk and abusive at the time, and complained about the fees, but was ordered to leave.

Fired several shots

He made further threats then started striding up and down the river bank, producing an air rifle, firing several shots into a cattle shed while the couple were inside, forcing them to flee.

Hurley then locked himself inside his boat and it then turned into a siege, he threatening the officers, so dog handlers and a negotiator were called, and Hurley was eventually arrested, the police taking a .22 calibre air rifle.

He later admitted charges of affray, making threats to kill, and criminal damage and appeared for sentence in court on Monday, with it adjourned for sentencing until 23rd June to allow for a psychiatric report,. Hurley was released on conditional bail and not allowed to go within five miles of the farm.