DAD David Barker has been jailed for two years after a court heard how he threatened police with an air rifle at his Corsham home, leading to a eight-hour siege.

Police marksmen and a helicopter were called in, and ambulances were put on standby after Barker, 35, holed up in his house in Methuen Way on September 20.

Louise de Rozarieux, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court a siege situation developed when Barker's partner, Helen Jones, returned home after a row.

She said Miss Jones returned home with police and a community psychiatric nurse to collect things for her two children when Barker called a friend to say he had ripped out a gas pipe and was going to blow up the house.

But when they entered the house Barker appeared at the top of the stairs and threatened Insp Rod Stacy-Marks with an air rifle fitted with a telescopic lens, saying if he didn't leave he would 'drill' him.

She said Barker continued to point the gun at the inspector, who eventually managed to get out of the house and alert colleagues.

Police tactical firearms officers were called and the area was cordoned off.

Barker continued to threaten police officers at the scene, but shortly before midnight he agreed to lay down the rifle and give himself up.

Mrs de Rozarieux said officers recovered a .22 air rifle, a .22 gas-operated rifle and ammunition as well as a 12 inch sheath knife from the house.

When he was interviewed, Barker told police he could remember little of the incident, but said he had aimed the gun at officers to goad them, and had fired pellets into a door inside the house. He said he only had the gun with the intention of harming himself, not anyone else.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client has a personality disorder which could not be treated. He had no history of violence against anyone but himself.

He said Barker, who has been in a relationship with Miss Jones for 13 years and has two children, was affected by the death of his mother three years ago.

Since then, he said, his client, who admitted possessing a firearm with intent, had turned to drink and drugs and had not taken his medication as he should.

Mr Daymond said Barker had been in hospital just three weeks prior to the incident. He had discharged himself and had not taken his medication as instructed.

"He believes he had a psychotic episode brought on by a break in his medication. He is at a loss to explain why he did what he did," he said.

Barker was charged with possessing a firearm with intent.

Sentencing him, Judge Lester Boothman said: "It is clear to me that when the police arrived they must have been quite frightened by what faced them.

"I accept that at some stage the police must have known that this was an air rifle, but having said that, an air rifle is still a dangerous weapon.