A NEWPORT man threatened to "chop" a police officer with a Samurai sword before an armed siege of his home ensued for three hours, a court heard.

Newport Crown Court heard how Stephen John Newman tried to barricade himself in a Somerton property, throwing an aluminium ladder and portable television at police officers after he had tried to strangle his mother.

Newman, 32, of Beatty Road, Ringland, suffers from schizophrenia because of drug abuse and was sent to Llanarth Court Hospital, Raglan for treatment under the mental health act.

Newman admitted affray following the incident on November 11 last year, at the home of his mum Cheryl Newman on Collingwood Road, Somerton.

Prosecutor Gareth James said the pair had an argument and the defendant pushed his mother to the floor.

She then left to go shopping, but on her return, the argument resumed and Mr James said Newman placed both hands on his mother’s neck and "tried to strangle her".

The police were called at 5pm and Mr James said Newman stood at the top of the stairs shouting "get out of here, she owes me money".

An aluminium ladder and portable television were then thrown down the stairs, before Newman shouted "I’ve got a Samurai sword and I’m going to chop the first one to come up here".

Officers then retreated and contained the area, with a police negotiator called.

Newman left the property voluntarily at 8.05pm and was arrested and taken to Newport central station.

There, he said he’d sent his mother to buy him a £5 bag of cannabis but when she didn’t return with it, he barricaded the front door with furniture.

After officers pushed the front door open, he said he "heard voices in my head" and started throwing items down.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said: "You pose a significant risk of harm to your mother and others until your condition is stabilised.

"You are suffering from schizophrenia because of long-standing abuse of drugs and it is appropriate you’re treated in hospital."