Gun waved at neighbours and police in four-hour stand-off

A MAN waved a gun at neighbours in the street and at police officers who attended the scene, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Officers had gone to Kenneth Bates’ house after he called 999 to say he had filled the property with accelerants and was going to torch it.

Swansea Crown Court heard a police negotiator was brought in, and Bates became involved in a four-hour standoff with officers.

A subsequent search of the house uncovered weapons, including a realistic-looking imitation gun, ammunition and a samurai sword.

Bates was subsequently sectioned and admitted to a mental health hospital but after being released he threatened to murder one of the psychiatrists, and was found with a knife in his bag which the 58-year-old said he had for self-protection in the upcoming “zombie war”.

Regan Walters, prosecuting, told the court that shortly before 6.40pm on September 26 last year the defendant called South Wales Police to report he had filled his house with accelerant and planned to set it alight.

He also told the call handler he had a samurai sword and a semiautomatic pistol, and said he would shoot any police officer who turned up at the address.