Man jailed after Douglas siege

A Douglas man has been jailed after threatening to shoot police officers he'd called to his home.

42 year old Brian Eric Lowther, of Lheannag Park, made a 999 call just before 6.30pm on May 3.

He told the operator he'd smashed up his flat and was planning to slit his throat - when police arrived Lowther refused to go outside.

At Douglas Courthouse this week Lowther pleaded guilty to affray, admitting his actions had caused two officers to fear for their safety.

The court heard firearms officers and two negotiators had been called to the scene after Lowther smashed two windows with a hammer and threatened to shoot PCs.

Lowther's advocate told the court his actions had been "a cry for help" adding, although "inappropriate", he'd been "very anxious and depressed" at the time.

Magistrates sent Lowther to prison for six months, telling him "This was a very serious incident - amounting to a siege at your address".