A SAMURAI sword-wielding man threatened to kill himself when armed officers surrounded his home during a six-hour siege on New Year's Day.

Kegan Thompson, 24, held the weapon to his stomach and warned officers they would have to shoot him in the head before he would come down from a garage roof.

Police arrived at his former home in Dixon Street, Blackhill, Consett, after they were called when he attacked his ex-partner, holding the blade to her throat.

Consett Magistrates' Court yesterday heard that he had drunk a bottle of Southern Comfort and taken valium the night before.

Geoff Taylor, prosecuting, said he tore his shirt off and deliberately cut himself on the left side of his stomach after attacking his ex-partner.

He said officers arrived and found him on the garage roof.

Mr Taylor said: "Police saw him remove a silver sword from a sheath. He had a chain around his neck with a bar at each end. He threatened to kill officers and said several times that he would have to be shot down."

The armed response unit was called, along with a negotiator, who persuaded him to give himself up at 11.30am. He was then taken to hospital.

Thompson, now of South Cross Street, Leadgate, admitted threatening behaviour.

In mitigation, Dave Malone said: "He accepts the prosecution's version of events as he cannot remember because he was incapacitated. He has indicated he was not aware of what happened until he was told. It was a stand-off on a garage roof with a samurai sword pointing at his stomach with armed officers training their guns on him.

"It was extremely foolish."

The court heard Thompson is receiving help from his GP.

His case was adjourned until February 8 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.