Rooftop drama in Bellhouse Way, Foxwood as fugitive Richard Sampson is seized (From York Press)

Rooftop drama in Bellhouse Way, Foxwood as fugitive Richard Sampson is seized

9:45am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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THERE was drama in a York suburb when a man climbed on to a roof as police arrived to arrest him, leading to a two-and-a-half hour stand-off.

The Press believes the man to be 29-year-old Richard James Sampson, who was being hunted by police in York and Hull after breaching the terms of his licence.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “At approximately 5.50pm on Thursday, police attended an address in Bellhouse Way, Foxwood following reports that a man wanted on prison recall was at the address.

“Following the arrival of the police he entered the loft space of the property and then made his way on to the roof. “Following negotiations the man was talked down and subsequently arrested.

“During the incident, a 39-year-old woman was also arrested.”

The incident came to an end at 8.30pm.

Sampson was locked up for nine years in 2004 when he and another man attacked innocent passer-by Ian Thornton, stealing a gold chain and wallet and repeatedly stamping on his leg.

At the time of the attack Sampson was living in Nunthorpe Road in York.

In 2009 he was released from his sentence.

But his licence was revoked in February when he breached his curfew conditions.