Officer honoured after armed siege

Mar 12 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A POLICE officer who risked his life in a dramatic stand-off in Northumberland was last night honoured for his bravery.

Sgt Nigel Dance was attacked and had a gun pointed at his head by crazed Mark Scott during the incident in Stocksfield on July 16, 2005.

Last night he was awarded the Tony Teare Memorial Trophy at a ceremony in Newcastle held by Northumbria Police.

Sgt Dance, an officer with Gateshead Motor Patrols, saw Scott assaulting two members of his family in the street and turned his vehicle around, ordering him away before being attacked with the homemade firearm himself.

Scott, 42, who had been high on alcohol and cocaine, then barricaded himself inside his home in Kimberley Gardens during a police siege before being shot dead by another officer after pointing a barreled object out of a broken window.

An police inquiry into Scott’s death in December ruled that the killing had been lawful.

Forensic tests showed the home-made weapon had “lethal capacity” and had already been fired once in the street at his ex-wife, missing her head by about a foot. A home-made explosive device was also found.

Last night Sgt Dance was presented his award by Northumbria Police Chief Constable Mike Craik at the Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle, at the special ceremony.

A total of 40 officers were recognised for long service and good conduct, with six members of police staff and a special constable receiving long service awards.

Police Community Support Officer Allison Dennis was also rewarded for devoting 23 years to the force and is now training to be a police constable and will be based at Sunderland Area Command.

PC Christopher Herron, PC John Anderson, Firefighters Scott Holland and Ian Robinson of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Neil Sowerby and Adrian Tavener, who were all involved in rescues from the River Tyne, all received The Chief Constable’s Commendation.