Infamous Manchester gangster Domenyk Noonan has scaled the Big Wheel at Piccadilly Gardens in protest against plans to recall him to prison.
He allegedly clambered onto the roof of one of the wheel’s pods before the scaling ladders to its core.
The 49-year-old is now perched perilously more than 100ft above the ground.
Update: Domenyk Noonan climbed down from the Big Wheel, with help from firefighters using ropes, at around 9.30pm. He was immediately arrested for aggravated trespass.
The customers who were stuck in the pods of the Big Wheel, around 10 of them including one child, were eventually brought down safely.
Noonan spoke on the phone to police from his perch, who were trying to talk him down.
PROTEST: The small figure in the centre of the wheel is allegedly Domenyk Noonan (Image courtesy of David Whitters, with thanks)
Noonan, who is on licence serving a nine-and-a-half year sentence after a gun was found under the bonnet of his car, is believed to have threatened to jump at around 3.30pm today.
Operators of the wheel were forced to immediately halt the Piccadilly centre-piece – and it is thought that 10 people who had been enjoying the ride are still stranded in the air.
LOOK CLOSELY: The figure of a person 100ft up can only just be seen (Image courtesy of David Whitters, with thanks)
Police have since cordoned off the surrounding area, including clearing everyone who was sat eating and drinking outside Kro, Pizza Express and other restaurants in the gardens.
A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered due to the commotion.
Noonan began interacting with the crowd, showing peace signs and saluting them.
PERCHED: The dangling feet of someone sat on Piccadilly Big Wheel can clearly be made out
Emergency services are on scene, including two ambulances, three police cars and a police van, as well as a fire engine.
Noonan, originally from Moston, has been threatened with a recall to prison following a dispute with his partner.
Now named Lattlay-Fottfoy, Noonan, has more than 40 convictions for a wide range of offences including armed robbery, police assault, possession of firearms, prison escape and fraud and has already spent 22 years behind bars.
CROWDS: More than 600 people have now gathered around Piccadilly Gardens
