Man admits holding hostages in Jarrow siege

A man has admitted holding hostages during a three hour armed siege in Jarrow.

Alistair Gallow, of Percy Street, Jarrow, held up a Coral bookmakers atGrange Road in the town during a stand off that was filmed by neighbours and posted on social media.

The 39-year-old allowed the four people he had held imprisoned inside toleave before specialist armed police officers arrested him.

At Newcastle Crown Court Gallow pleaded guilty to four counts of falseimprisonment towards two members of staff and two members of the public and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in relationto an imitation sawn off shotgun.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of an offensive weapon,namely a knuckle duster.

Gallow, who appeared at the hearing via video link to HMP Durham, alsoadmitted three charges of possession of a bladed article in relation to threeknives.

The court heard Gallow has been assessed by a specialist forensic nursewhile in prison on remand and it is likely that psychiatric report will beprepared on him before the sentence hearing in April.

Victim impact statements from those caught up in the stand off will also be prepared.

Judge Tim Gittins remanded Gallow in custody in the meantime.