Siege man found dead

Last updated at 09:43 05 July 2005


A man suspected of shooting a police officer was found dead in his home this morning after an 18-hour armed siege came to an end, police said.

Pc David Lomas, 34, was shot at around 2pm yesterday when a routine arrest turned into an armed siege in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

The suspect, named locally as Stephen Hensby, a loner in his 50s, was found dead when armed police stormed the house on Hardman Avenue this morning.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham, of Lancashire Police, said: "Following an extensive overnight police operation, firearms officers entered a premises on Hardman Avenue this morning where they found a deceased male in an upstairs bedroom.

"A deceased dog was also found in the bedroom.

"No other people were present in the house when police officers entered and no further shots were fired.

"This was a difficult operation where the safety of the public and police officers was paramount.

"A police investigation has now been launched."

18-hour stand-off

Pc Lomas 34, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was with a colleague when he was shot with a shotgun as he approached the house at 2pm yesterday.

They were responding to reports of anti-social behaviour and "could not have predicted the level of violence that he was met with", according to Mr Graham.

Pc Lomas, a community police manager in nearby Haslingden, was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital where he is said to be comfortable.

Dozens of armed officers were called to the house and a cordon was set up to stop people entering or leaving the area.

An 18-hour stand-off followed as negotiators tried to contact the man inside the house.

But when armed officers finally raided the building this morning, they found the man was dead.

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