A CHEPSTOW man involved in an eight-hour siege with armed police pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm yesterday.

Greg Searle, 34, of no fixed abode, was due to stand trial at Cardiff Crown Court but pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and alarm, following the stand-off in Aust Crescent, Bulwark, on August 3 last year.

Searle had already pleaded guilty to affray and sending a letter or other article conveying threat, at an earlier hearing on October 7, and Judge Rhys Rowlands adjourned sentencing until March 16.

The Argus previously reported how the armed siege began in Aust Crescent at around 6am on August 3, when Searle’s mother raised concerns about her son.

The court heard yesterday that five officers initially went to the scene, where they found Mr Searle leaning out of an upstairs window brandishing a replica A3 pistol at them, which led to a specialist armed police unit and two negotiators being called.

The Argus reported at the time that armed officers surrounded the house after Searle threatened to harm himself and officers, and spent hours hurling abuse from a first floor bedroom window.

After more than eight hours the siege ended in dramatic style, when officers stormed the house and riot police battered down the front door.

Searle was remanded in custody yesterday for a full psychiatric report to be prepared before his sentencing next month.