Knifeman facing jail after 40-minute stand-off with armed police at his gran's Sunderland home

Callum Dunn threatened officers, as well as saying he would harm himself, while armed with an eight-inch kitchen knife after drinking and taking "loads of valium" on April 12.

Newcastle Crown Court heard his gran, who had asked Dunn to leave her home at the start of the incident, was left "sobbing uncontrollably".

The stand-off ended when police stormed the house and aimed a taser at the 19-year-old.

Prosecutor John Hobley told the court police who arrived at the house in Plains Farm, Sunderland, had ushered Dunn's gran and another man outside to safety.

Mr Hobley said Dunn "pointed the knife at the officers and also held the knife to his wrists" and added: "He repeatedly refused to put the knife down when instructed."

The court heard Dunn warned if police came near him he would "plunge" them and said he would "come at them".

Mr Hobley added: "There was a number of exchanges between officers and Mr Dunn as he moved between the bedroom window and the front door, threatening to harm officers and himself.

"After Mr Dunn stopped responding to officers attempting to check on his welfare, firearms officers entered the address."

The court heard it was after Dunn was "red dotted" with a taser, twice, he eventually dropped the knife and was arrested, but continued to be aggressive and threatening.

Dunn, of no fixed address, admitted affray.

Vic Laffey, defending, said "there was an awful lot of shouting and an awful lot of threatening" but it "never went beyond that”.

Mr Laffey added: "He was a young man who was in a distressed state. In reality, his intention was never anything more than to cause a scene."

The court heard Dunn has been held in custody on remand and the time behind bars has had a "profound effect" on him.

Judge Edward Bindloss adjourned the case until next week so it can be established if Dunn has a home he could go to if he was allowed back into the community.

Judge Bindloss told him: "I haven't decided what I am going to do with you.

"I am either going to sent you to a young offenders institute or make a suspended sentence order and put you on the programmes that the probation service suggest."

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