Two 16-year-old youths who climbed on the roof of Newcastle General Hospital have been jailed.
On Saturday, March 5, police received a report that four people had climbed onto the roof of a building in the grounds of the General Hospital, in Wingrove Avenue, throwing stones at vehicles, members of the public and the police.
Officers attended and arrested a 19-year-old man, two 16-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy.
Acting Inspector Joanne Park-Simmons said: “Climbing onto roofs and causing a disturbance is a criminal offence which is incredibly dangerous.
“These incidents take up a lot of valuable emergency service resources and can put lives at risk.
“Two 16-year-old boys are now beginning sentences in jail for their actions, that is how seriously we and the courts take this kind of offence.”
All four were charged with a number of offences and on March 6, three were remanded in to custody for sentencing.
Three of the youths appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates court on March 23.
The two 16-year-olds were handed 16 month jail sentences and the 14-year-old a 12 month youth rehabilitation order that includes a 7pm-7am curfew that will be electronically monitored.
The 19-year-old man will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 4 where he will be sentenced.
Police are keen to stress the dangers of climbing onto roofs and are warning people that if they choose to climb onto roofs then they could be sent to jail.