A DRUNKEN father-of two-who staged a rooftop siege at Tesco supermarket has been jailed for six months.

Steel erector Alexander Joseph Fishwick, 31, had hurled missiles at police, almost electrocuted himself and put a cable around his neck threatening suicide during the 90-minute siege at the Rawtenstall Tesco.

Burnley magistrates were told that Fishwick caused "considerable disruption" to the store and horrified shoppers during the melee on Friday, July 13.

Fishwick's solicitor had called for pyschiatric reports after telling the court the defendant had emotional issues.

However, the bench sent him to prison for 180 days.

Fishwick, now of Kirklee Road, Castleton, Rochdale, admitted affray and damage.

Joseph Allman, prosecuting, told the court that at 7.45pm a security guard saw the defendant outside the Tesco store, drinking alcohol before climbing onto the roof.

The defendant went onto the Tesco store sign and then onto the upper roof. The guard notified the duty manager and police were called.

Officers attended and Fishwick was seen carrying a slate and a plastic box.

He refused to talk to officers and the area was cordoned off and more police were called in.

The defendant demanded more drink from a police sergeant and then began to throw slates towards officers.

Mr Allman said Fishwick continued to walk around the roof, picked up a cable, put it around his neck and walked to the edge as if he was going to throw himself off.

The defendant then slung a large plank at police, called them "thick" and was seen to remove electrical boxes from behind the illuminated Tesco sign.

Police were concerned he would harm himself and the store manager was asked to cut the electric supply to the roof.

The prosecutor said the defendant carried on moving the boxes from the sign, threw them at officers and continued to put the cable around his neck and threaten to throw himself off the building. He then climbed to the very top roof where he stayed there a short time.

Mr Allman said a police negotiator was called who he went onto the roof to speak to Fishwick. Shortly after he complied and was arrested.

Fishwick had 25 previous convictions and had been to prison before, the court was told.

Janet Sime, defending, said if Fishwick had deep emotional worries and added: "He thought he was going to lose his partner.

"He got drunk and then he behaved in a ridiculous manner. He put his life at risk."