Man who held woman and boy in 'armed' Lincoln siege is jailed
A man who pointed a pistol at police before carrying out a four-hour siege, trapping his estranged wife and a young boy in a flat, has been jailed.
Police were called to an area off Moorland Avenue in Lincoln at 19.30 BST on 26 June after a panic alarm was activated, Lincoln Crown Court heard.
Gavin Crane, 27, of no fixed address, pointed an imitation Colt 45 pistol at officers when they arrived.
He was jailed for three years and four months.
He pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and charges of false imprisonment and making a threat to kill.
Edna Leonard, prosecuting, told the court the imitation weapon was a BB gun which Crane had previously fired inside the property, shattering a photograph of his estranged wife.
She said two officers went into the flat but then found their way blocked.
"[The door] was then opened by this defendant. He pointed a hand gun straight at the police officer. It looked like a Colt 45 but was in fact a BB gun."
The two officers then left the building and firearms officers were called to the scene.
Crane later allowed the boy to be released but his estranged wife was held until just before 23:00 BST when he walked out and was Tasered by officers.
He told officers that he had little recollection of the incident, Lincoln Crown Court was told.
Recorder Simon Medland QC imposed a 10-year restraining order banning Crane from contacting his estranged wife or from visiting her workplace.