THREE men barricaded themselves into a Reading flat, setting fires and throwing missiles at officers, causing a local primary school to be closed.

The men were trying to avoid being arrested by police for burglary at the address in Caversham Road on December 8 last year.

Officers attended the property at about 5.40am but quickly had to close the road and the E P Collier Primary School shut down for the day.

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Tom Robins and Reiss Anderson-James have pleaded guilty to violent disorder. However, Ajay Coaker has denied the offence and is now on trial at Reading Crown Court.

Opening the case, the prosecution said: “Essentially, it’s three people acting together using threatening, unlawful violence.

“The worst offender was Tom Robins, he does almost everything, he behaves awfully. They all behaved badly. Ajay Coaker probably behaved less badly than other two.

“This is about a four-hour incident where police officers are subjected to violence and threats. It was scary.

“Officers were going to Caversham Road to make arrests for a completely different matter. They were acting entirely lawfully.

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“At the time of the police arrival, the road was quiet. These defendants, including Ajay Coaker, made choices.

“The first choice was, instead of co-operating, to barricade themselves in the property. There was then a stand off that lasted four hours.”

The court heard that missiles were thrown out of the window from the property which had been rented by Coaker, 20, of Benson Close, Reading, two weeks prior.

A radiator was thrown from the property, hitting on officer on the head.

Robins could be heard shouting: “Come in at your own risk. You don’t know what we’ve got in here. Come to the door and f****** find out.”

Threats were also made from Robins about starting a fire or gas explosion and some fires were lit in the property which sustained about £5,000 of damage.

Officers, wearing specialist gear, were eventually able to reach the property but hot water with sugar was poured on top of them.

The barrister said: “Mr Coaker does seem to remain the calmest of the three and it does seem difficult to pinpoint acts of violence from him.

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“It may be that he did throw items but it was difficult to see.”

Coaker had admitting being a part of barricading the property but denies making threats or throwing objects from the property.

The trial continues.