Brighton man charged with firearms offence after siege

A 34-year-old Brighton man has been charged after the stand-off with armed police in the town yesterday (Monday 7 April).

Mark Wright, of Lewes Road, Brighton, has been charged with having an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence.

Wright has been remanded in custody and will appear before Brighton magistrates tomorrow (Wednesday 9 April).

He was charged after the siege that brought Lewes Road to a standstill yesterday, with the busy bus route closed in both directions.

Several other streets were sealed off for more than three hours as Sussex Police surrounded a block of flats in Lewes Road at the Vogue Gyratory.

The force said: “No shots were fired and nobody was injured in the incident.”

Inspector Adele Tucknott said: “We would like to thank the witnesses who came forward to help the investigation and the public for their co-operation as the area did come to a standstill while we dealt with the incident.”