Man found guilty after abusing police at Norwich station

Ethan Stapley, 24, was arrested after climbing on top of bike sheds behind Bethel Street police station at around 2pm on Saturday, May 6 last year.

Stapley, of Buttercup Drive in Bradwell, was due to appear for trial at Norwich Magistrates Court yesterday for the obstruction of police duties and using threatening, abusive words and behaviour - but did not turn up.

At an earlier hearing, he had said he could not recall what happened when asked what his defence was, referencing the 'Amnesiagate' hit-and-run crash scandal involving two Norfolk police officers.

Three police officers gave evidence in Stapley's absence.

PC Elvis Beya said he was "dealing with a high-risk missing persons case" when he was made aware of Stapley's presence at the station.

Ethan Stapley did not appear at court for his trial and a warrant is out to secure his attendance for sentencing (Image: Newsquest)

He said the incident redirected approximately nine officers "who had to abandon their work" to go out and ask Stapley to "come down safely".

When asked what Stapley was wearing, PC Beya added he was wearing an "old rusty knight's helmet".

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When questioned why he was wearing the helmet, Stapley said it was "a tactic to promote engagement" with the police.

Stapley was said to be wearing an old and rusty knights helmet when sitting on the police station (Image: Newsquest)

PC Beya added Stapley was "very obstructive and made it difficult to take proper control of him" requiring four officers to apply his handcuffs.

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Sgt Christopher Clay said Stapley directed "abusive and homophobic language" at him after being brought down.

Stapley was initially arrested for sitting on top of the bike shed, to the rear of the Bethel Street police station (Image: Newsquest)

It is not the first time Mr Stapley has been involved with police, having been found guilty of resisting arrest during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London in November last year and having charged dropped after disrupting a memorial service for the Queen in Great Yarmouth.

Magistrates said they would "look at all options" for sentencing as a warrant for Stapley's arrest was issued.

The chairman of the bench added: "The amount of disruption to the police and diverting people away from priority calls could have put people's lives and safety at risk."