Machete-Wielding Man's Three-Hour Rooftop Rampage in Handsworth
Joshua Brivett, a 24-year-old man, erupted into laughter as he watched court footage of himself with a half-shaven head, wearing a woman's dress, and brandishing a machete during a chaotic three-hour rooftop standoff in Handsworth. The incident, which occurred on June 12 last year, began with Brivett threatening to decapitate an asylum seeker and escalated into a violent rampage that injured a police officer and a paramedic.
A Dangerous Escalation of Violence
Prosecutor Ilana Davis described Brivett's actions as a "sustained course of violence and threatening conduct." Police initially responded to reports of him standing on London Road in Handsworth with a shovel and machete. Brivett later claimed he picked up the machete from someone else who had threatened him, an assertion the Crown Prosecution Service did not challenge, leading to dropped charges related to that part of the disorder.
At 3 p.m., a woman staying at accommodation for asylum seekers returned home to find Brivett had forced his way inside. "She found him downstairs shaving his hair and wearing a dress," said Ms. Davis. "He said if she screamed he would cut her head off and gestured this with a machete across his neck." The terrified woman fled and called management, refusing to return to the address afterward.
Rooftop Chaos and Injuries
As police arrived, Brivett escaped through a rear door, climbed over a fence with the machete in his mouth, and held the blade to his throat. He then clambered onto a flat roof, shouting and swearing at officers. From there, he launched bricks at them, with one striking an officer on the ankle and smashing upon impact. Brivett continued his rampage, smashing windows and throwing down bricks, masonry, metal objects, paint, and even an industrial container of mayonnaise.
A paramedic, who had served for 24 years, was struck on the back by debris, leaving him questioning his job. Firearms officers descended on the scene, capturing footage of missiles crashing into force vehicles. Brivett tried to set fire to curtains and demanded hot food and cigarettes during negotiations, warning that any officers who approached would be hurt. Ultimately, at 6:45 p.m., police forced entry using stun grenades and detained him.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At his sentencing hearing on March 25 at Birmingham Crown Court, Brivett spoke from a prison video link, claiming he was Tasered and shot with rubber bullets, but then thanked firearms officers, adding he was "glad I never got killed." Judge Richard Bond, known for his engaging demeanor, replied, "I don't have much sympathy you caused chaos for about three hours." He emphasized that police had to intervene to protect the public, stating, "They are not the bad guys."
A CCTV compilation played in court showed Brivett pacing erratically on the rooftop, slapping his own head, which prompted him to laugh uncontrollably, leading Judge Bond to order his microphone be silenced. Brivett had admitted to affray, possession of an offensive weapon in public, and two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. He had 25 previous offences, including having a gun and a knife in public, and had spent nine months on remand for this crime spree.
Mental Health and Remorse
Defence barrister Amrita Marwaha argued that Brivett had mental health issues exacerbated by heavy cannabis use, which made him paranoid. Judge Bond noted that cannabis in the UK has changed since the mid-90s, with high THC content in "skunk" varieties. He acknowledged Brivett was having a mental breakdown, stating, "Because people in control of their faculties don't act in this way."
Ms. Marwaha said Brivett expressed remorse, apologizing to emergency workers and the public. During his time in prison, he has taken care of his health, completed courses on "facing up to conflict," and secured a sewing job. Judge Bond concluded the saga was a "really serious example" of affray, sentencing Brivett to two years and eight months, with release after serving up to 50% of the term.
