A York boy who risked other people's lives in a rooftop showdown with police was today starting a four-month sentence.

The suicidal 16-year-old boy repeatedly hurled slates from the roofs of two houses in Portland Street and tried to cut his throat and wrists during the 90-minute confrontation, York Youth Court heard.

The stand-off ended when solicitor Craig Robertson climbed up to the roof, talked to the boy and carried him down a ladder.

The boy, from west York, received a four-month detention and training order.

He pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage to two houses and two cars in Portland Street on September 28, theft by finding of a motorcycle helmet and ignition keys on June 29 and handling a car stolen in a burglary the day before he and two other youths were stopped in it by police near Scarborough.

The court heard the boy told police the three teenagers had bought the car together for £50.

Mitigating, Mr Robertson said the boy did not have a long record, but a "bombshell" in the boy's life had led to him breaking the law. He had a "serious problem" which needed addressing.