A DRUNKEN man threatened to set his home on fire during a two-and-a-half hour stand off with police.

Officers were called to the property, in Leadgate, near Consett, after 21-year-old Bernard Clews became aggressive during an argument with his mother, on the evening of November 23 last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that two officers arriving at the house, in Ridley Terrace, were confronted by Clews, who threatened to throw a bottle of wine and an ashtray at them.

Ian Graham, prosecuting, said the officers decided to retreat and a siege situation followed during which Clews threw items from the house in their direction.

He claimed to have a petrol bomb and said he had also covered the stairs with petrol, which he was threatening to ignite.

Mr Graham said: "He said he was going to set light to the whole place with the petrol, as he had nothing to lose.

"But, eventually, just after midnight, he came out and was co-operative with the police. He was arrested and interviewed, but made no replies to questions."

Brian Russell, for Clews, said he had suffered personal problems, including psychiatric difficulties from which he was making, 'significant progress'.

"The offence arises out of difficulties he was having at home, at the time. It was clearly a mix of his own psychiatric difficulties with abuse of alcohol on the night in question. Despite the fear his mother and the officers were put in, no one was injured."

Clews, who admitted affray, was jailed for 15 months.

Passing sentence, Recorder Peter Johnson told him: "I appreciate there have been problems with mental illness, but it seems to me this incident had little to do with that. It was caused by your bad temper, fuelled by alcohol, and it's clear it's not the first time this has happened.

"I'm of the view only a custodial penalty can be justified.