Man handed seven year sentence for bomb hoax that led to Sheffield flats being evacuated
Yaqub Younis claimed to have explosives and automatic weapons during the incident last February.
A man has been jailed for seven years after a 32 hour police standoff in which led to a block of flats in Sheffield being evacuated.
Yaqub Younis, 49 and of Broad Street, claimed to have firearms and a grenade during the incident on February 10 last year.
Neighbours called the police after hearing Younis make violent threats, with the entire Gateway Flats building being evacuated.
The nature of the incident also led to the street outside being closed, with significant disruption as public transport had to be redirected.
Younis was arrested in the early hours of February 12 when armed police broke into his flat.
No explosives or firearms were found.
Younis was charged with bomb hoax, intentionally or recklessly cause a public nuisance, affray, and criminal damage to property valued over £5,000.
He was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced today (July 2) at Sheffield Crown Court.
Detective Sergeant Stephanie Phoenix, of South Yorkshire Police, said:“The bomb hoax carried out by Younis caused disruption for many innocent people in the city, especially those who were evacuated for their safety.
“Threats like those Younis made must be taken seriously, and I am very proud of the officers who attended the scene and negotiated Younis safely out of his property.
“When our officers were standing on the other side of Younis’ front door, they did not know that his claim to be in possession of explosives and firearms was a bluff. But they acted with calm professionalism to safely resolve a complex incident.
“There is no excuse for the disruption and anxiety that Younis caused, and I am glad that he is now behind bars."