A MAN who held off police marksmen during a 22-hour siege at his flat has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Robert Thomson, 38, played a day-long game of cat and mouse with police, who surrounded his house after he told them he had a gun.

His drink-fuelled stand-off only ended when he sobered up and gave himself up.

The drama unfolded at Thomson's flat, in Blackhill, Edmondsley, near Chester-le-Street, after an all-day drinking session with a friend. He later told police he had downed five litres of cider before the incident began.

Durham Crown Court yesterday heard how Thomson started the mayhem by deliberately cutting himself with a 10-inch knife.

When paramedics arrived after a call from his friend, he verbally abused the ambulance crew, who called the police.

As they arrived they were confronted by Thomson brandishing the same knife and shouting threats.

When he told them he had a gun in the house, the officers fled, and called for reinforcements.

He went back into his flat and the siege began. Armed police surrounded the flat at about 8am, on November 14, last year.

Thomson gave himself up at about 6am the following morning.

He had earlier admitted a charge of affray, and was yesterday given the 30-month sentence by Recorder John Muir.

He must also serve 450 days left remaining from a manslaughter conviction in 1996.

Tony Hawks, defending, said his client was remorseful.

He said: "This was a disgraceful and shocking incident. It is a sad case of depression and self harm.