The television show 24 HOURS in Police Custody depicts a 14-hour confrontation between Bedfordshire police and two individuals armed with an AK-47, who were under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Here is everything you need to know about Nathan Turner, who took a delivery driver hostage along with his accomplice Paul Burton.
Who is Nathan Turner?
Nathan Turner, 37, was jailed after a 14-hour siege sparked by a cold takeaway in which a delivery driver was taken hostage.
Channel 4 has released a documentary called 24 Hours In Police Custody about the stand-off at a tower block in Bedford.
Turner and Paul Burton lived in the flats at Bury Court at the time of the incident.
What did Nathan Turner do?
Turner and Burton threatened their neighbours with a high-powered air rifle.
After a 999 call in November 2022, Bedfordshire Police were sent to a block of flats.
A witness reported that she saw two men making threats to kill someone with an AK-47 rifle.
Police officers assessed the scene and identified the two suspects as Burton and Turner.
At approximately 3 am on November 27, 2022, the suspects requested food delivery. However, upon the driver’s arrival, they barricaded him in the elevator with a coffee table.
Both of them were drunk and high on drugs.
They claimed that they trapped the delivery guy in the lift for over two hours because their food was cold and late.
When police arrived, Burton vowed he would “shoot the first officer that walks through the door”.
At 8.45 am, Burton shot at the windscreen of a manned police car.
Turner started throwing paint and plants from a balcony during the day.
He damaged several vehicles down below, but eventually, at around 12.34 pm, Turner gave himself up.
This was an extremely disturbing and frightening siege in which a firearm was present.
Judge David Farrell KC
Burton finally relented at 5.49 pm — almost 14 hours after the stand-off started.
Supt Steve Ashdown of Bedfordshire Police said: “Thankfully we achieved a peaceful outcome.
“I’ve been a firearms commander for 10 years and this is the first siege of this type that I’ve dealt with.”
He added: ”Like with every other firearms incident, there is a sense of achievement and relief at a successful resolution.
”All the residents were kept safe and no officers came to harm, which is not always a guarantee for police officers, sadly.
“There was a sense of professional pride.”
Where is Nathan Turner now?
Nathan Turner was imprisoned after confessing to affray and four counts of criminal damage. He was sentenced to 20 months in jail by Judge David Farrell KC.
Paul Burton was sent to jail for seven years after pleading guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and two charges of possessing a firearm without a certificate.
The judge said: “It was an appalling and terrifying incident.
“This was an extremely disturbing and frightening siege in which a firearm was present.”
Detective Superintendent Steve Ashdown said about the incident: “This episode demonstrates the different units, teams and partners that come together to support these types of incident.
“It also highlights how officers are undoubtedly feeling the impact of dealing with these incidents or are at the receiving end of violence as events unfold and shows an officer who was fired at during the siege.
“As a force we have introduced a range of measures to support our officers and staff.
“The challenges we face as a police force, when it comes to violent incidents, anti-social behaviour, and ill-mental health are shown in the programme.
“We work alongside our partners in healthcare to support people in our communities who may be suffering a mental health crisis, such as through our specialist mental health street triage team.
“Support with managing your mental health and wellbeing is always available to people, regardless of who you are and where you come from, so please never be afraid to reach out and seek help.”
The episode of 24 Hours In Police Custody featuring Nathan Turner is on Channel 4 at 10pm on Monday, April 28, 2025.
