Man in flats siege 'believed life was in danger'

A man who allegedly threatened to blow up an apartment block in Sheffield said he shouted about having "loads of guns" as he believed his life was in danger, a court has heard.

Yaqub Younis, 49, made the threats at The Gateway in Broad Street in February 2025, leading to a 36-hour stand-off with armed police and disruption across the city.

He is on trial at Sheffield Crown Court and denies communicating false information with intent, intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance, affray and criminal damage to property.

Asked why he told police he had the guns and 18-20kg of explosives, Younis said: "I genuinely believed my life was in danger. I was trying to attract attention."

Later he said to the jury: "I still believe my life is in danger. There is no doubt in my mind."

During the incident, about 100 people who lived in the flats had to be moved to safety and surrounding roads were cordoned off.

Supertram services also had to be stopped and the Sheffield Parkway between Park Square roundabout and Derek Dooley Way was closed in both directions.

The trial has previously heard how Younis threw a television and various household items, some of which were on fire, off the balcony of his flat in the building.

When he eventually gave his real name, police realised Younis, who is originally from the West Midlands, had been on prison recall and had "various markers against him".

The prosecution allege he claimed MI5 and the National Crime Agency were spying on him and plotting to kill him.

Giving evidence in his defence earlier, Younis said he threw the television out of the window because he wanted people to video it - believing the attention would save his life.

Later he said: "It did save my life. I was shouting this was an MI5 operation. The police were trying to kill me."

Asked by his defence counsel if he believed that, he said: "Yes, 100 per cent."

The defendant's claims of being in possession of explosives and firearms turned out to be "deliberate lies", but when police gained control of the apartment they found Younis had a number of weapons, including a meat cleaver and knives.

The trial continues.

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