A 42-year-old man has been jailed for six months after threatening to shoot police during a siege at his house in Douglas.

Brian Eric Lowther, of Lheannag Park, pleaded guilty to a charge of affray, admitting his behaviour had caused officers to fear for their safety.

The court heard that he had already served the equivalent of a five month sentence while on remand.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on May 3 at 6.25pm, Lowther had called the police and told them he had smashed his house up.

He hung up but when police called him back he then said he was going to cut his throat.

Officers attended Lowther’s home but he refused to let them in and smashed a window with a hammer, saying: ’You said I’m smashing stuff so I’m smashing stuff.’

Lowther was then said to have thrown a mobile phone out of a window and shouted: ’I’m going to get a shotgun from my attic and kill all four of you.’

Firearms officers and police negotiators were called and attended the scene but Lowther eventually came out of the house and surrendered.

He denied threatening anyone and gave no reply after being cautioned.

Mr Robinson said: ’Given the guilty plea and the fact no actual violence was used, I would submit the case is suitable for summary court disposal.’

The prosecutor also asked for a licensing ban to be considered as Lowther was said to have been intoxicated when the incident occurred.

Defending him in court, advocate Ian Kermode said that the only delay in the case had been for the preparation of a psychiatric report.

Mr Kermode entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client, which was accepted by the prosecution, in which Lowther said that prior to the incident he had been increasingly anxious and depressed. He said that he was on the verge of a breakdown when he called the police and admitted smashing his own furniture. Lowther accepting making threats and swearing at police but said that his acts were a ’cry for help’.

Mr Kermode went on to say: ’The call to 999 was a cry for help. He felt on the verge of a breakdown. There was no intent to threaten the police at that point. It’s fair to say his actions were inappropriate and threats were made but no police officers were harmed and eventually he did present himself peacefully. He does have numerous previous convictions but only one in the last eight years.’

Magistrates’ chair Julian Ashcroft said: ’This was a very serious incident requiring armed police to attend your address. It resulted in what amounted to a siege.’

The magistrates decided not to impose any licensing ban.