STV NewsA man has pleaded guilty to prompting a ten-hour stand-off with police while he was looking after a toddler in Kilwinning.
Ryan Martin barricaded himself inside a house while officers tried to get him to leave the property and check that the three-year-old was safe on November 10 this year.
He refused to hand over the girl, who can’t be named for legal reasons, to officers or prove to them that she was still alive.
The 38-year-old claimed they could not force entry to the property because she was right behind him and could be hurt.
Firearms officers and police negotiators were among 27 officers involved in the stand-off on Cathkin Place, in the Whitehirst Park area of Kilwinning.
Martin was high on a cocktail of alcohol and prescription medication at the time, as he was suffering from a broken arm.
STV NewsHe threatened to kill officers and threatened to stab them while armed with a kitchen knife.
He also said he would throw petrol bombs at them and threatened to shoot them.
The young girl Martin was looking after was in the house with him during the entire episode.
He made the child her breakfast during the siege, while officers were camped outside, before giving himself up hours later.
The details emerged when Martin appeared in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court over the incident.
He pleaded guilty to the three charges he faced – behaving in a threatening or abusive way, endangering police officers, and damaging property.
Procurator Fiscal Depute Emma Sangray told the court he had gone to the property in question to drink with the girl’s mum, but had been asked to leave.
He refused, and she left the property in a taxi, going to a local police station to raise the alarm, but the station was shut.
Officers arrived at the Kilwinning home following a 999 call at 12.50am.
The prosecutor explained: “Police witnesses attended. They observed the front window to be smashed.
“The accused was observed to be heavily irate and heavily under the influence, pacing between the living room and hallway.
“The accused refused to open the front door to the police and began repeatedly shouting and swearing at officers while punching the front door.
Ms Sangray added: “The accused opened the door, slightly ajar, still in possession of the knife and was ‘red dotted’ with a taser.”
He immediately slammed the door shut and made threats to stab the police.
“Officers were extremely concerned for the welfare of the three-year-old as she had not been seen or heard within.
“They repeatedly attempted to engage with him about her welfare. He said she was upstairs sleeping.
“He had no regard for the welfare of the child with his continual aggressive conduct and intoxication level.
“He refused to provide proof of life or hand over the child to officers.
“He said she was right behind him, so they could not force entry to the property.”
Martin and the girl eventually left the property at 11.10am, and she was checked over by paramedics and found to be unharmed.
Sheriff Murdo Mactaggart remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing.
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