A MAN has appeared in court facing seven charges after an armed police siege.

Jeffrey Ian Lowther, 36, of the Sunny Blunts Estate, Peterlee, County Durham, appeared before Peterlee magistrates yesterday.

He had been arrested after his 30-year-old former girlfriend called at his home to pick up some clothes last Saturday.

The area was sealed off, and armed officers brought in as a precaution.

Two knives were later recovered from the house.

The woman emerged shaken, but unharmed.

Mr Lowther, who had told police he had taken paracetamol, was taken to Hartlepool General Hospital, and was initially described as critically ill.

Yesterday, he faced charges of false imprisonment, threats to kill, possessing an offensive weapon, child abandonment/neglect, criminal damage, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.

The case was adjourned, and he was granted bail on condition that he stayed outside the area.