Guilty plea after six-hour Radcliffe massage parlour stand-off

Ben Mason, 26, was arrested after police officers, including a firearms officer, a counter-terrorism officer, a dogs unit and tactical aid officers, were called to Stand Lane in Radcliffe on March 30.

Officers were on the scene around the Sunflower Massage Parlour for around six hours before Mason was arrested.

Speaking at the time, Chief Inspector Andy Wright of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury district said: “We understand how alarming these incidents may be to local communities and the wider public, but I would like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident and our armed officers were on scene to manage any potential risk.

Officers were on the scene (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

“I would like to thank you all for your patience whilst our officers have been responding to this incident, and I urge anyone who may have concerns or questions to please speak with officers on scene and local patrols.

“They will always be happy to support.”

Emergency services were first called to the scene at around 2.15pm on the afternoon of March 30 this year, following reports of a disturbance.

Stand Lane was closed in both directions between Radcliffe New Road and Thornley Street as police dealt with the incident, with drivers advised to “find alternative routes”.

Ben Mason was arrested at the scene (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Just before 9pm, eyewitnesses reported seeing police officers gathered around the front of the parlour with a man taken out and put in a police van shortly afterwards.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed at the time that the incident was not counter-terrorism related despite the presence of counter terrorism officers.

This week, Mason, of Astbury Street, Radcliffe, appeared before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court, where a guilty plea was entered.

The road was closed in both directions (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

He confessed to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence in breach of the Public Order Act.

According to court documents, this was directed towards a woman on Stand Lane on the date of the police stand-off.

Mason was granted conditional bail ahead of a pre-sentence report being prepared and is expected to appear again before the same court for sentencing on October 1 this year.