An Erith man who staged a six-hour stand-off with armed police while wielding an imitation firearm has been jailed following a tense and dangerous confrontation last year.
Jack Pullen, 31, called 999 on September 7, 2024, claiming he was at Plumstead Cemetery armed with a gun. When armed police arrived at the scene, they found Pullen holding the weapon to his own head, threatening to take his life if his ex-partner wasn’t brought to the cemetery.
A Tense Stand-Off With Armed Police
During the six-hour stand-off, Pullen drank vodka and inhaled nitrous oxide while intermittently pointing the imitation firearm at himself and, at times, towards the armed officers. Police negotiators worked tirelessly to de-escalate the situation, but the growing threat forced officers to make a difficult decision.
Eventually, police fired a rubber baton round at Pullen’s torso, causing him to fall and drop the weapon. He was then Tasered and taken into custody before being transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Imitation Firearm and Repeat Offense
The firearm was later confirmed to be an imitation gun, but officers at the scene had no way of knowing that during the standoff. During a police interview, Pullen revealed he had been suicidal and had aimed the gun at officers, hoping they would shoot him.
The court heard that this was not the first time Pullen had been involved in such an incident. In May 2021, he had gone to the same cemetery armed with an air rifle, leading to a similar police response. On that occasion, it was decided that prosecuting Pullen was not in the public interest, and he was instead sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
However, after the September 2024 incident, Pullen was charged and later pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm.
Personal Struggles and Remorse
In his defense, the court was told that Pullen had experienced significant personal trauma, including the loss of his mother at the age of eight, which had contributed to struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. Since his remand in prison, Pullen has been working to address these issues and expressed remorse for his actions.
Sentencing and Judge’s Remarks
At Woolwich Crown Court on Monday (24 February 2025), Judge Christopher Grout acknowledged Pullen’s remorse but emphasized the seriousness of his actions, stating:
“The police had no idea whether the gun you were holding was real or imitation until they recovered it. They were taking a risk in the approach they took that day, although no doubt a calculated one. The simple point is they could have killed you. It is fortunate the officers took the action they did, in firing a non-lethal round to incapacitate you.”
Judge Grout sentenced Pullen to four months in custody, but given that he had already served that time on remand, Pullen will now be released on licence.
Support for Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
The case has sparked conversations about the importance of mental health support and crisis intervention. Pullen’s actions, while dangerous, highlighted his deep personal struggles and need for professional help.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are resources available:
- Samaritans – Call 116 123 (available 24/7) or email [email protected]
- Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Call 0800 58 58 58
- NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline – Find local helplines here
For more breaking news and updates, stay tuned to our local news coverage.
