Austin Reed deliberately damaged a boiler and caused a gas leak which led to a number of neighbouring properties being evacuated
17:20, 15 Jan 2026
A man who locked a woman and three children inside a house and 'threatened to blow it up' has been jailed.
Austin Reed deliberately damaged a boiler and caused a gas leak which led to a number of neighbouring properties being evacuated.
A huge emergency services operation was put in place in the Upper Wortley area of Leeds following the incident on October 21, 2023.
West Yorkshire Police were called at 9.37pm and told Reed had locked himself, a woman and three children inside an address on Roderick Street.
It was reported he'd threatened to blow up the house, with the caller reporting a smell of gas within the property.
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When officers arrived, the woman and children had been let out of the property by a family member, however Reed remained inside.
He barricaded himself within the address, and due to concerns about wider public safety, a number of nearby houses were evacuated.
A specialist negotiator was sent to the scene but shortly before 11.30pm, entry was forced due to lack of further contact from Reed and increased concerns for his welfare.
Reed was taken to hospital to be checked over before being taken into police custody.
A gas engineer later established that intentional damage had been caused to a boiler within the property causing a gas leak.
The 43-year-old, of The Elms, Leeds, pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage – recklessly endangering life.
He was jailed for three-and-a-half years Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday, January 13.
Following the sentencing, Sergeant Clementine Brown, of Leeds Domestic Abuse Team, said: “Thankfully this incident was resolved safely, but Reed’s actions that evening put himself and others, including children, in serious danger.
“A large-scale emergency services operation was put in place with significant disruption caused to those living in the area.
“I hope those affected are reassured by the custodial sentence that Reed has been given.”