Crews In Danger At Siege

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday December 4, 2007

GR

POLICE were in extreme danger when they negotiated with a knife-wielding man only metres from a burning Macquarie Hills house, a detective said yesterday.

Detective Christoph Wiedemann told Newcastle Local Court during a bail application that fire officers also worked under "great risk" as they had to cope with repeated reignitions of the Granada Avenue fire on Friday night.

The policeman said in a tendered statement that Mark Clarence Bridge originally confronted police and fire officers from the front balcony.

Bridge had shouted for police to shoot him.

Detective Wiedemann said the police negotiations took place in a small backyard over six hours.

Bridge was armed with a meat tenderiser and a large kitchen knife which he allegedly brandished at police and held to his chest.

Bridge, 40, of Granada Avenue, Macquarie Hills, did not enter pleas to having assaulted the house's co-owner, Kerrie Leanne Bowyer, causing her bodily harm; and maliciously destroying by fire the house and contents.

Detective Wiedemann said the $400,000 home was expected to be demolished as the fire almost totally destroyed its interior and a significant part of its roof.

Bridge had recently allowed its insurance to lapse and Ms Bowyer thought this was linked to his amphetamine use, Detective Wiedemann said.

He said it would be alleged Bridge was on sick leave from his work because of a depressive illness. He was also allegedly addicted to amphetamines.

The policeman alleged Bridge had become extremely upset that his 18-year relationship with Ms Bowyer had deteriorated and was possibly ending.

After Ms Bowyer returned from work on Friday, an angry Bridge allegedly struck a ball on a bed post with a hammer while looking for evidence of her alleged affairs.

The ball dislodged and hit her in the face, causing a bruise to her lip and mouth.

After Ms Bowyer escaped, Bridge allegedly poured petrol about the house's kitchen and set fire to it. The fire was put out about 11.30pm and Bridge surrendered to police at 12.45am on Saturday.

Magistrate Allan Moore refused bail and remanded Bridge in custody until December 12.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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